SCHOOLS: Honor a different view

The editorial of Nov. 16 posited the value of a school board with greater diversity in their viewpoint and indicated the resignation of Jim Purtee was “for the good of all.” I don’t recall The Press ever calling for a diversity of opinion during the reign of the prior school board which was notably undiversified and somewhat hostile to public input under the chairmanship of Edie Brooks. Let’s not forget her illegal maneuver to install her successor, with the complicity of the board and legal council and the endorsement of the Coeur d’Alene Press, to ensure the continuation of the established monopoly of thought.

The resignation of Ms. Zippinger and Mr. Fredrickson from the board following the election of Tom Hamilton and Teri Seymour would indicate that they did not care to participate in a board of diverse opinions and chose to leave when they were no longer the dominate voice, otherwise they would have stayed “for the good of all.” Year after year a monolithic school board appointed their “chosen” candidate to fill a vacancy and then through the power of incumbency they were elected. This year is the first time vacant positions were filled following a prescribed process of recruitment, applications and interviews. It was a legitimate process conducted openly. It’s clear you do not like the outcome of the process, but for the good of all, let’s be clear that the cited lack of diversity is in truth the lack of accord with the editorial viewpoint.

EILEEN MANN

Coeur d’Alene