School board turnover

Two members of the Coeur d’Alene School District board of trustees resigned Friday, effective immediately.

Seats for board Chair Jennifer Brumley, Zone 4, and Trustee Tambra Pickford, Zone 3, are now empty. The board will be asked to accept the resignations and declare vacancies at the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday.

“Although my term will end this December, I have decided to leave the board early to focus on professional and family priorities,” Brumley said in an email from the district. “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees this year, and I am proud of the positive change the Board and District administration have worked on together since 2018.”

Brumley was appointed in September 2018 and was selected to serve as chair in January.

Vice Chair Rebecca Smith said she will take over the duties of the chair until a new chair is appointed after the election Nov. 2.

As outlined in Idaho State Code, the board will determine a timeline and process to appoint a new trustee for Zone 3, as Pickford’s term wasn't set to expire until December 2023.

“I no longer am able to devote the considerable amount of time that this position requires,” Pickford said in an email from the district. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve alongside so many amazing people these past six years.”

Pickford was elected in May of 2015 and was uncontested in being re-elected in November 2019.

Looking to the future, Zone 2, held by Trustee Casey Morrisroe, is the only seat not open for election in November. His term ends in 2023.

Trustees Lisa May and Smith are running for re-election for Zones 1 and 5.

Should they not be re-elected, there is the possibility of Morrisroe as the only continuing trustee, and an almost entirely new board.

“My hope is to be able to continue to serve our community,” Smith said. “I think consistency on the board would be really helpful in strengthening the district.”

May said these are difficult times and she respects and understands the decision of the two trustees to step away.

"Unfortunately, there are forces in our community that would like nothing more than to see additional resignations," May said. "I personally believe that we should let our democratic process work as it’s intended to. I would like to see us bring our focus back to providing the best education possible for our students."

Superintendent Shon Hocker thanked the two resigning trustees for their service.

“It has been my pleasure working with Chair Brumley and Trustee Pickford,” he said. “They truly care about children and desire to create an exceptional learning environment for all.”

Smith said she's also grateful for the service of both trustees.

“As a community we owe them and their families our gratitude,” she said. “Any leader who has had to lead through the crisis of the past two years deserves grace, thanks and support.”