SCHOOL ELECTIONS: Bill would restrict citizen involvement

Rep. Alfieri’s proposal to eliminate March and August school elections is a poor idea.

It is one more example of legislators trying to centralize government, and it is based on faulty logic.

Article III Section 19 of Idaho’s Constitution prohibits the legislature from passing local or special laws in certain enumerated cases. One of these is local elections which are best determined by local officials and those who elected them.

In his rationale for the long arm of the state reaching into local government, Alfieri uses the terms “do over” and “dishonest.” That’s an old ploy to incite fear and anger instead of the commonsense approach that is needed.

School districts cannot take on debt. If unexpected expenses arise, the board of trustees should be able to go to the voters. Going to the voters is not taken lightly. It takes time and effort on the part of these volunteer boards to run a levy or a bond. That and knowing the voters can always reject the ballot measure.

When voters reject a measure, the board may decide it’s done. In other situations, the need is so pressing the board goes back to the community to come up with another plan.

In all of this it is the voters in the district who have a voice and an opportunity to exercise their civic involvement in elections that are well publicized.

Restricting elections restricts citizen involvement. As such, Rep. Alfieri’s bill is unrepublican.

MARY OLLIE

Bonners Ferry