LETTER: Politics in education

As I was reading the "Readers Write" section of the Feb. 18 paper I was struck by the statements of Michelle Lippert. I found her article quite enlightening, not due solely to the content but because she chose to not disclose the fact that she is a professor of philosophy and ethics at North Idaho College or that she has been a member of the Post Falls School District Board of Trustees since 1999.

Her position as expressed in her writings represents how she likely stands on the education issues currently in the spotlight and since she represents roughly 6,500 voters in Zone 2 (see zone map at http://www.pfsd.com/uploads/zone2.jpg ) of the Post Falls School District, her opinion by default represents your opinion on the issues. Ms. Lippert is the Zone 2 Trustee and this Zone will be up for election in May 2011. Since Trustees are elected, just like legislators, I would suggest you take Ms. Lippert's suggestion in her writings and contact your elected representative, her in this case. FYI, if you live in Zone 2 and are a registered voter you can run for this board seat. Contact the Post Falls School District Office at (208) 773-1658 to get the registration paperwork. Zone 3 is also up for election this year.

By way of full disclosure, I have served on the Post Falls School District Board of Trustees for two 3-year terms in two different zones. I am not currently on that board. I graduated from college with a secondary education certification; however that was so long ago that I don't consider that a credible experience any longer. I was laid off at the end of 2009 after 22 years in the private sector with the same employer and spent 11 months seeking new employment.

My opinion on these reform issues is that something has to change because we are going down the path of Einstein's description of Insanity. Based on my credible experiences and my impassioned pleas while on the board, everyone needs to find better and more efficient ways to do their job.

Accountability is the only way to measure effectiveness and when used correctly can be very instructional to the individual, team and organization and this includes education. There are exceptional employees within every organization. Using their talents to "lift the boat" should be celebrated and rewarded.

BRUCE HOWARD

Post Falls