Cassidy sworn in as Kellogg schools trustee

KELLOGG — Felicia Cassidy was sworn in this week as a trustee for the Kellogg School District board.

Cassidy is filling the Zone 5 trustee seat formerly occupied by Carolyn Turner.

Turner was on the board for several years, but felt, with her youngest child's graduation from district schools, it was time for another person to have a chance to serve.

June 5, the day after Kellogg High's graduation, was Turner's final day as a trustee. Her resignation was accepted by the board in April.

“Even though we knew this change was upcoming, we are sad to see Carolyn leave the board, and her many years of service to the district were invaluable,” a statement from the district read. “We wish her all the best in the future and appreciate her support of the Kellogg School District.”

After Turner announced her resignation, the board began searching for her replacement. The two finalists for the position were Cassidy and John Schroeder. After several rounds of interview questions during a special meeting on June 7, the board decided to offer Cassidy the seat.

Cassidy's qualifications include time as an educator.

“I started getting involved in my kids’ school district in early elementary, subbed, and even taught high school math for one-and-a-half years in Nevada,” Cassidy said.

When Cassidy and her family moved back to Idaho, she knew she wanted to get involved with the district her kids were attending, but she also wanted to get back to her career.

“I decided to go back to engineering and get involved in the school in other ways,” Cassidy said. “When the opportunity arose for school board I felt it would be a great fit where I could help the children of our community and the district.”

Because she is filling a seat that was opened by resignation, Cassidy is only guaranteed her spot until the November election, but she plans to seek re-election at that time because, she says, she has some goals for her time as a trustee.

“My goals involve finding funding to allow for more hands-on training in trades,” Cassidy said. “These additions take space, money, and great educators and I hope to help find all of that. I also hope to help guide facility planning to upgrade existing buildings to allow for broader use. And, finally, would like to be involved in curriculum selections and assessment, especially in math.”

For building and facility upgrades, Cassidy faces an uphill battle in her new position, considering that, in 2019, the district tried to pass a facilities bond for $7.9 million and failed — twice.

That was four years ago, when the assessed dollar amount associated with bringing the district’s facilities up to code was closer to $10 million. Now, that number is likely even higher.