It's always right time, place for accountability

Well done, Christa Hazel, for ensuring the Coeur d'Alene School Board adheres to Idaho open meeting laws.

And to you, Trustee Dave Eubanks, who flirted with a potential violation of those laws during the school board meeting on Monday: Shame on you. And thank you.

We're wagging the proverbial finger - no, not that one - at Eubanks while commending him at the same time. Despite having to be reined in by the board chair a bit, Eubanks is beating a fiscal accountability drum that needs to be heard and, we hope, emulated throughout Kootenai County.

Even if he broke protocol by speaking out Monday on an issue that wasn't properly noticed, apparently taking fellow board members and administrators by surprise, Eubanks' adamance that the district must reverse its several-year trend of deficit spending is on target. He's asking for a detailed accounting of district expenses including those attached to the superintendent's office, conferences and travel for district employees, and other administrative costs, as well.

A career teacher, Eubanks is being pigeonholed by some critics as a mouthpiece for teachers and an administrator's worst nightmare. He probably isn't Mr. Popularity in the hallowed halls of the district's $2.5 million or so administrative center these days, but that's OK. His crusade is commendable, and we agree implicitly with his belief that there is some fat in every budget; particularly in these times when the economy is strong, deficit spending is inexcusable.

Our hope is that other public bodies will follow Dave's lead. What tax-gathering and -spending entity couldn't dig deeper to curb expenses? Which of them couldn't possibly improve the way they tell taxpayers exactly how their tax dollars are being spent?

If a little grandstanding on a Monday evening is the cost of more complete disclosure leading to the public's enlightenment, we think that's a small price to pay for responsible government.

Wednesday's editorial incorrectly stated that Rep. Kathy Sims and Sen. Mary Souza comprise one-third of the state legislative committee examining urban renewal. Sims and Souza, both from Coeur d'Alene, comprise one-fifth of the committee.