Election shakes up school boards

Nonpartisan races that were nonetheless politically charged ended early Wednesday with multiple local school board shake-ups.

Idaho Education News reported that only 55% of incumbent school trustees won re-election statewide — that’s 26 incumbents out of 47.

Kootenai County is no exception, with three local incumbents losing their seats by narrow margins.

COEUR d’ALENE SCHOOL DISTRICT

One incumbent retained her seat on the board of trustees, while another was ousted.

Allie Anderton unseated incumbent Lisa May in the race for Zone 1.

Anderton, who received 51 percent of the vote, did not respond to a request for comment.

In a statement to The Press, May expressed gratitude to her community for trusting her to serve them for the last four and a half years.

“I have tremendous admiration for the work that our staff and administration does day in and day out, doing their absolute best to both care for and educate our community’s children,” she said.

In Zone 4, Lesli Bjerke beat Lindsey Swingrover by just 27 votes, garnering 50.32% of the total.

Bjerke did not respond to a request for comment.

Swingrover said she’s disappointed that Coeur d’Alene voters have elected to take their public schools in this direction.

“I hope I’m wrong about what it will look like,” she said Wednesday.

She pointed to Bjerke’s association with groups including the John Birch Society and the Idaho Freedom Foundation, which Swingrover said “have worked to dismantle public education in the United States.”

“I hope that (Bjerke) will see what it looks like on the ground and how many people are doing their best for kids and realize that supporting our levy and district is essential,” Swingrover said.

Incumbent Rebecca Smith was re-elected in Zone 5, capturing 52% of the vote.

POST FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Political newcomer Jake Dawson defeated David J. Reilly, a recent Pennsylvania transplant who received national criticism for writings that disparaged Jewish people, women and other demographics.

Dawson garnered 53% of the vote for Zone 5.

A third-generation Post Falls resident, Dawson graduated from the school district he’ll now serve as a trustee.

“I’m excited to be part of this community in a bigger way than I ever have,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to build a great school district.”

Reilly, who was condemned by the nation’s largest pro-Israel organization for his antisemitic writings and called an “antisemitic troll” by The Daily Beast, provided the following statement to The Press via email:

“Despite the negative press covfefe,” (sic).

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee endorsed Reilly and repeatedly reaffirmed its support for him.

In the race for Zone 4, Logan Creighton defeated incumbent Bridget Malek by just 12 votes.

Creighton won the seat with 655 votes — 50.46% of the total — while Malek received 643 votes.

Malek said she’s thankful to have had the opportunity to serve on the board for five years.

“I hope that Mr. Creighton will really become part of our community, because he’s newer here, and really get involved in our schools,” she said.

Creighton reportedly moved to Post Falls with his family about two years ago.

He could not be reached for comment.

The margins were wider in the Zone 1 race — Guy McAninch won with about 60% of the vote, while opponent Neil Uhrig garnered about 39%.

Though he was disappointed in the results, Uhrig accepted them.

“It’s the will of the voters,” he said.

LAKELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

In the race for Zone 4, David Quimby beat Mark Worthen with 53% of the vote.

Quimby could not be reached for comment.

Robert “Bob” Jones defeated incumbent Debbie Major by capturing 55% of the vote.

Jones told The Press he’s honored and humbled to serve Lakeland School District.

“I am thankful for all the support and for those who worked tirelessly on my behalf,” he said. “I look forward to the tasks involved with providing the very best educational opportunities for students in our district.”

Lakeland School Board Chair Michelle Thompson also survived the attempt to recall her, with 55% of voters opposing her recall.

“The voters spoke and I am honored I will be able to finish my term as a trustee,” she said.

Thompson said she looks forward to continuing to work for the taxpayers and families of the Lakeland Joint School District.

“It was sad to see how this election brought out so much negativity, hostility and bullying from those who championed my recall,” Thompson said. “Fortunately, that type of behavior is not the Lakeland way.”