SCHOOLS: Safety comes first

The No. 1 priority of our schools should be the safety and well-being of our students. Unfortunately, we know more than one predator has been hired by the Coeur d’Alene School District due to lack of due diligence and students have fallen victim.

Jeffrey Kantola should never have been licensed by the Idaho Department of Education, nor hired by the Coeur d’Alene School District. A simple Google search would have raised sufficient red flags. The fact that he self-disclosed the loss of his chiropractic license to inappropriate sexual behavior with a patient and employee would seem to be an indicator of predatory behavior and further investigation would be necessary. Our Idaho Legislature should address this issue and tighten up the requirements for background checks and hiring of teachers and staff. However, there is no excuse for the sloppy protocol we have seen from the school district. Trustee Christa Hazel is the only school board member who has shown courage and transparency. She recognizes there is a problem and that the board is ultimately accountable.

I have spoken to parents and others about this tragedy in our community. Like me, they know Supt. Matt Handelman and HR Director Kelly Ostrom have failed our students and forfeited the trust placed in them to protect our children. It’s time for the Coeur d’Alene School Board to clean house! The next School Board meeting is May 1. Concerned constituents need to be there and encourage the board to do the right thing!

REBECCA FUNK

Coeur d’Alene