UNIFORMS: Board can multi-task

I respond to Noelle Branen’s letter castigating Coeur d’Alene School Board trustee Mr. Purtee for suggesting consideration of school uniforms. Ms. Branen thinks Mr. Purtee and the school board should focus solely on pushing the upcoming bond for needed facilities improvements for our schools.

First, I have faith that Mr. Purtee and our school board can handle more than one issue at a time. Our current board is made up of highly capable, experienced adults. If they can’t handle more than one important issue at a time, they shouldn’t be on the board.

Second, each of the current school board trustees has expressed commitment to making positive changes in our district and not simply continuing the status quo. The trustee elections a year ago, resulting in landslide victories for Tom Hamilton and Terri Seymour, proved that’s what the parents and taxpayers want.

Third, although I understand that the current board supports the bond as necessary, it’s important to remember that the need for the bond is because of the prior board’s poor fiscal planning and mismanagement. Instead of limiting our current board to dealing with an agenda created by past policies, I call upon the board to be bold and take positive steps to improve our kids’ educations, not just the buildings that house the students. Modern school buildings don’t guarantee a good education. I would also respectfully ask Ms. Branen to consider that the voters may be more receptive to a bond request by a board that is not simply a rubber-stamp to continuing the status quo of mediocrity.

The merits of school uniforms should be debated. However, I find no fault with Mr. Purtee or any of our trustees proposing a change geared toward reducing bullying and improving student performance, as Mr. Purtee asserted at the recent school board meeting. We should discuss the merits of this serious proposal for positive change, thoughtfully and respectfully, and not just pay lip service to “It’s about the kids.” Kudos to Mr. Purtee for coming forward with a proposal he thinks will benefit our students and community. I look forward to more proposals for betterment of our local schools.

DUNCAN KOLER

Hayden Lake