BORAH: On right track

I just read Don Sausser’s letter questioning the wisdom of Principal Kristina Davenport’s re-branding of Borah Elementary School. And, first of all, you are right Don, all schools should contain “pervasive hope, contagious joy and academic excellence.” And that’s exactly what Borah contains! I’ve been volunteering there for the last several years, and have nothing but respect for the professionals that teach there every day.

But the school sits in a mixed neighborhood. Many of the students come from disadvantaged families. There are homeless students there. Many nearby families don’t want to send their kids there, and that’s the problem Ms. Davenport is addressing. Extra measures are necessary to convince the citizens that Borah gives their kids just as good an opportunity as any other school in the district. It can only help to reach out to teachers who want the challenge. Re-branding Borah will create pride from the top down. The alternative is giving up, and thinking, we can’t change anything because of the location.

Ms. Davenport’s plan is pure Americana at its best, “new and improved.”

GEORGE GOETZMAN

Coeur d’Alene