TRUSTEES: School board kudos

I would like to publicly thank the Coeur d’Alene School Board for the endless hours they dedicate to our school district. Although they are elected, they receive no compensation for the time they devote to their positions. Since COVID-19, the trustees’ workload has increased significantly due to additional meetings, communications with stakeholders, and personal time spent researching issues related to coronavirus and education.

I have watched most of the school board meetings related to the coronavirus. Before every meeting, I had already determined what I wanted the decision to be. However, by the end of each meeting, the trustees had not only addressed the concerns I had but had introduced other perspectives, giving me a new outlook on the issue. They think about groups and situations that are different than mine, showing a genuine commitment to serving the whole community. Although I don’t always agree with their decisions, I support the thoughtful process they employ to guide the school district.

As COVID cases rise, the school board may need to return schools to hybrid learning. If this happens, I encourage all community members to respect their decision and to be civil when expressing disagreement. Democracy requires listening and being open-minded to differing opinions and perspectives. We are all mad the pandemic took away normal life; however, don’t displace that anger toward the school board trustees. They didn’t ask to make these hard decisions, and I doubt that many people in our community would step in and fill that role for them.

SARAH WILLIAMS

Coeur d’Alene