First understand, then let 'er rip

Maybe they think of themselves as education evangelists.

Other words come to mind, though, when discussion leads to people in our community whose bitter letters to the editor or unrelenting clashes with Coeur d'Alene School District leave sensible citizens scratching their heads and wondering, "Doesn't so-and-so have something better to do?"

Most communities own a contingent like this, folks whose temperament bounces between boiling and blowing up. Constructive criticism is foreign to them. Anger is all they have, and they wield it like a weapon, not a tool.

We're writing on this topic today not just to share an observation, but with school now underway, to make a sincere suggestion. Before you criticize, do yourselves and your community a favor and be sure you know what you're talking about.

In the case of Coeur d'Alene School District, Dave Eubanks, vice chairman of the school board, has offered not just to meet with several of the district's most outspoken critics, but almost begged them to let him take them into the classrooms so they could see first-hand what's happening - and, perhaps, what isn't. His offers have all been declined.

To criticize is healthy. Criticism is the spark that leads to improvement. But criticism works only when someone is listening. And reasonably happy, healthy people don't listen to the shriekers we're referring to today.

We encourage anyone with a beef about their school district or any other public body to contact someone within that group and explore, with their assistance, what's actually going on. In many cases we think you'll be pleasantly surprised. When you do find shortcomings - and they exist everywhere a human being is involved - we also think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the way most people accept constructive criticism. But their willingness to listen to you respectfully and sincerely depends upon your willingness to also listen respectfully and sincerely. Show that you care and they'll care more about your concerns.

Eubanks, by the way, remains open and hopeful. He'll happily meet with district patrons and take them into schools so they can see for themselves what's going on. Contact Dave at DEubanks@cdaschools.org and do some exploring. Then write a letter to the editor and share your thoughts and suggestions.