Key vote for 10,000 kids

An important vote took place before Tuesday's election.

Matt Handelman was elected unanimously Monday night as the leader of Coeur d'Alene School District.

When the school board named Handelman the permanent replacement for former Superintendent Hazel Bauman - who's flourishing in a similar role in Kitsap, Wash., by the way - trustees simply kept a good thing going. That's what smart people do.

With Trustee Tom Hamilton absent, the remaining school board members voiced enthusiastic support for Handelman, who had served as Bauman's lieutenant for three years. During that time he also served as director of curriculum and director of elementary education for the district - essentially, three full-time, highly important jobs.

Part of the reason trustees placed their permanent trust in Handelman is because of the strong support he received among district employees and others in the community. We can attest from professional interaction with Handelman over the past three-plus years that his competence, accessibility and leadership qualities negated any desire to have a long, expensive search take place. The very best person to lead Coeur d'Alene School District - and we said this of Bauman when she was named superintendent after working in the Coeur d'Alene district for nearly 25 years - was already here.

We applaud the school board for choosing wisely. In Handelman, they've selected a superintendent whose experience as a teacher and administrator has earned him the respect if district employees, and whose diligence in representing the academic and fiscal interests of district patrons has brought widespread respect as well.

Coeur d'Alene can't rest on its laurels as the world grows increasingly competitive, putting ever more emphasis on the importance of quality education. Matt Handelman understands that. We believe he's up to the task of demanding excellence at all levels and giving educators the tools they need to reach higher.