Interesting and insightful

Editor's note: In an effort to further open communication to parents of children in CDA271 and the community at large, the Coeur d'Alene Press has committed to providing space for an occasional column from a school trustee where the trustee can talk about the school district and how perhaps one can help to move our educational process forward.

This first column is from Jim Purtee; Trustee Zone 1.

I completed week one as a trustee though not sworn in until the evening of May 7. On April 30, I was asked to sit in on a strategy panel reviewing the salary and benefits proposals along with other fiscal issues concerning the anticipated $3 million shortfall in next year's operating budget. Interesting and insightful. I can affirm that the administration and the trustees are committed to minimizing the impact of budgetary cuts in the balancing process.

Over the following two days, I toured nine of our schools with Superintendent Hazel Bauman. I came away from those days convinced of the passion and dedication our teachers have for educating our young people.

For the first time in 45 years I spent a little time in the principal's office. But it was well spent as I had the opportunity to sit and discuss the processes at Bridge Academy with the school's principal. Ms. Rosie Astorquia was wonderful. A great example of a dedicated and passionate educator we should all be so proud to have. I also must commend the other principals, teachers and support staff that I met over the past week. Great people doing a difficult job.

The facilities I visited are, for the most part, well maintained. There are, however, a number of pressing facility upgrades that we need to present to the public because they are essential to our students' educational process. One example is Canfield. At Canfield we have several hundred students in old and outdated temporary buildings with no running water, bathrooms or healthy ventilation. Permanent classrooms there would bring this academically high performing school up to acceptable standards. I recognized other facility/building issues as well and I am eager to get into these in more detail and report my findings.

All in all, the first "pre-week" of my tenure as trustee was a week full of education for me and an opportunity to meet many, many of the district staff.

One last note. I am saddened by the departure of Ms. Zipperer. I was looking forward to her passing along her many years of expertise and experience to bring me along quickly in becoming operationally savvy about serving on the board as a trustee. I will miss her input.

Finally I want to ask each of you to please participate. Casting stones from the safety of a blog is seldom helpful. Come to the meetings, the community chats and help us to continue the record of excellence in education here in CDA271.