Alliance hosting education forum

COEUR d’ALENE — Encouraging active participation in civic and community life, the Civic Engagement Alliance is hosting a forum Monday night “in defense of public education.”

“Bringing all perspectives together to discuss what is happening in our community” is the goal, said Jessica Mahuron, founder of the non-profit organization.

Started in 2018, the group strives to promote nonpartisan, grassroots citizen involvement and to facilitate “non-violent and respectful discourse.”

Recent events including the firing of North Idaho College President Rick MacLennan and public backlash at a Coeur d'Alene School Board meeting made evident the widespread division among citizens, Mahuron said. That's why she believes discussion of the current state of public education is paramount.

“Amid an ongoing pandemic, Idaho public schools face an uphill battle with diminishing support from legislators,” Mahuron said. “Understanding of the issues influencing public education and our greater community is needed more than ever.”

Luke Mayville of Reclaim Idaho has been involved in the Quality Education Act ballot initiative. Mayville will be speaking on the complexities surrounding public school funding.

Critically needed funding is being declined, Mahuron said.

Early childhood grants to the tune of $6 million were rejected, for example, because some parties fear student indoctrination, Mahuron said.

Keri Cederquist, community impact director at United Way of North Idaho, will discuss early childhood education initiatives.

Brian Seguin, Public Services and Collection Development Librarian at North Idaho College, will discuss “issues of backlash” in response to programs focused on diversity and inclusion.

Lake City High School history and social studies teacher Derek Kohles will share his real-time experiences in the classroom.

“People don’t realize how important these roles are,” Mahuron said. Education and discussion of the issues is vital before people head to the polls, she said.

“Public education is at a critical juncture in Idaho,” Mahuron said. Attendees will “learn more on how to advocate for a robust public education system in Idaho.”

Alliance members planned to hold the forum live, but decided against it because of the continued spread of COVID and the “rise of incivility at public meetings,” Mahuron said.

The forum runs from 5-7 p.m. Monday and can be accessed through Zoom by registering at bit.ly/indefenseofpubliceducation or viewed on Civic Engagement Alliance’s Facebook page. Mahuron can be reached at [email protected].

A voter guide is available on the Civic Engagement Alliance website as well.