Finalists for CDA School Board announced

Candidates for Coeur d'Alene Trustee Zone 3 will undergo a second round of interviews tonight after board members announced the four finalists Monday morning.

Zone 3 was declared vacant on Oct. 4 after the resignation of former Trustee Tambra Pickford. Per Idaho Code 33-504, the board had 90 days to appoint a serve to serve the remainder of Pickford's terms through Dec. 2023.

Zone 3 represents residents in the northwest portion of the Coeur d'Alene School District.

Of the nine eligible applicants that applied, current board members Rebecca Smith, Lisa May and Casey Morrisroe selected four for further consideration.

"We have a talented group of people to evaluate, and I think that's exciting," said Morrisroe, Trustee for Zone 2.

Finalists are:

• Nicholas Lepire

• Heather Tenbrink

• Jen Jeanselme

• Gary Patterson

In a previous interview, Director of Communications Scott Maben told the Press that the board could select the new Trustee after tonight's 4 p.m. meeting.

The meeting will occur at the Midtown Meeting Center in Coeur d'Alene and is open to the public. Capacity is limited, but individuals can watch online through the Coeur d'Alene School District YouTube account.

After the appointment and installation of Allie Anderton for Zone 1 and Lesli Bjerke for Zone 4 at the Jan. 3 board meeting, the district will have a full board seated. Smith was reelected two weeks ago for another term in Zone 5.

"I think it's a great cross-section of people. I hope that even if folks are not selected today, that they would choose to continue to be involved in our district," said Smith, Trustee for Zone 5. "There's plenty of opportunities for people to be involved at all levels within our district."

The Press published summaries of the nine applicants on Nov. 6.

Candidates who did not meet the final four cut were:

• Matthew Brawner

• Kevin King

• Kevin Bitnoff

• Jeanette Laster

• Brandon Trca