Kootenai School Board elects two trustees
HARRISON — Two new trustees have been elected to the Kootenai School Board just in time for the 2019-2020 school year.
Kootenai School District alumna Amanda Reinhardt will represent Zone 2/Carlin Bay; former Coeur d’Alene local Hannah Little will represent Zone 5/O’Gara Road.
Reinhardt attended the Kootenai School District from kindergarten through high school graduation. Little spent four of her elementary years at Harrison Elementary School. Both live in Harrison.
Little and Reinhardt will fill the vacancies left on the board when former trustees Richard Meyer and Jon Verkist resigned in July at the same time former Superintendent Lynette Ferguson resigned.
“I currently have three students — and one future — in the district,” Little said. “Attending Kootenai made a big impact on my life. I love being a part of this community and I want to help to continue its success.”
Little is a full-time mom. This is her first time serving on a school board and she said she was excited to learn and grow in the position.
“I truly care about all student issues and want to ensure a well rounded/successful education for the students of our district,” she said.
She feels the key to student success is a “happy and healthy district that strives to create the best learning environment possible for its students.”
“With supportive community members, involved parents and an amazing staff, I believe we will maintain a happy, healthy, successful district,” Little said.
Reinhardt attended North Idaho College and the University of Montana, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration.
She is passionate about Kootenai School District because it’s where she called home when she was a student.
“My Dad attended Kootenai and most recently I have been supporting my niece and nephew as they have grown up in the same school,” Reinhardt said. “I know what an amazing school Kootenai has been. I would like to serve the district and the students to ensure it continues to provide an environment and education that develops students into strong, productive, contributing adults.”
Although this is her first time serving as a school board trustee, she has eight years of business ownership experience and has served on the Harrison Chamber of Commerce Board and North Idaho Tourism Alliance Executive Board, so she is familiar with some of the board processes.
“The business experience with contracts, policy and regulatory procedure and business analysis that I possess is an area that I will be able to draw on to bring valuable information and perspective to the team,” she said.
Reinhardt said she feels confident her passion for the school district and the students, combined with her knowledge, will be a valuable addition to the district.
“I have been regularly attending the Kootenai School Board meetings for quite some time and I am familiar with many processes, topics and activities in progress,” she said. “I would like to serve and assist the school district going forward.”