GRIEVANCE: Timing truly is everything

In a strident grievance, the local left shout their unhappiness with the Cd’A School Board for axing their program — IB/PYP. They’re so upset, they sent copies to Human Rights groups, U.S. Department of Justice, and even set up a Moveon.org petition so leftists across the country can sign.

With such a severe case of righteous indignation, how have they managed to keep cool over the 5 1/2 months since the board ended PYP? Answer: It’s school board election season. Complainants Ashley Unruh and Nicole Olson worked with IB/PYP activist Katie Kladar to keep the program. Kladar formed Coeur d’Alene Education Partnership (“CEP”) the day after the judge voided Wanda Quinn’s illegal appointment by Edie Brooks, who supported IB/PYP. Kladar and CEP, including past board members, are supporting liberal school board candidates Christa Hazel, Dave Eubanks and Tom Hearn, trying to take back control of the board. Many of the grievance petitioners are Kladar’s associates and/or members of CEP.

The claims of the grievance are absurd. Religious discrimination — for terminating a program that teaches there are no absolute truths? Fiscal irresponsibility — for stopping a financial hemorrhage of over $1.4 million in tax dollars, and the siphoning of community donations so that teachers had to buy their own classroom supplies? Open meeting violations — by a couple of emails with no back and forth deliberations? Please.

IB/PYP is divisive. IB/PYP supporters don’t like the reasons given by the Board. The liberals are doing what they always do when they don’t get their way.

JACQUELINE MAYO

Coeur d’Alene