REGAN: It’s not the community’s fault

In his whining column on March 10, the leader of the KCRCC and all things going wrong with public education in Kootenai County, Brent Regan, has resorted to victim-shaming the entire county for NIC’s looming loss of accreditation. Because in addition to the dozen or more specific issues the accrediting commission cited as being out-of-compliance, they also said they wanted to see community support. So, according to Mr. Regan, it’s the community’s fault because they didn’t kiss the toes of the dysfunctional board directly responsible for each and every one of those out-of-compliance issues, “including, but not limited to”:

Three lawsuits.

Frequent changes in leadership without following institutional policies and procedures.

Termination of partnership with STEM Charter Academy.

Continued exodus of faculty, staff and senior administrators.

Decision with little to no input to expand athletics program with potential added costs.

Multiple No Confidence Resolutions.

Risk of significant financial stress, including but not limited to:

Expanded payroll for two presidents.

Significantly increased insurance costs with higher deductibles.

Moody’s Bond Rating review for potential downgrade.

Declining donor support.

The only progress that has been made toward resolving the non-compliance issues is the reinstatement of duly elected President Swayne by court order (the board had previously voted no). Yet Mr. Regan claims, “President Swain has now thrown that progress out and is starting over.” Literally, the exact opposite of the truth.

But sure, it’s the community’s fault for not being OK with this burning dumpster fire Brent Regan created.

RICHARD SAUNDERS

Coeur d’Alene