McAndrew announces candidacy for CDA school board

James “Jimmy” McAndrew announced he is seeking the Zone 2 seat on the Coeur d’Alene School District Board of Trustees. Zone 2 largely consists of the cities of Hayden and Hayden Lake and is being vacated by Casey Morrisroe, who is not seeking reelection.

McAndrew and wife Julie have been married for 17 years and have a son and daughter in the Coeur d’Alene School District.

He is a lifelong North Idahoan and, according to a news release, a successful businessman and has been actively involved in serving the community in different leadership roles for 20-plus years.

Growing up in St. Maries, McAndrew faced early hardships as he lost his mother when he was just 3 years old. His father was absent from his life but his grandmother raised him with help from his aunt and uncle.

“I am the luckiest person you know because my grandmother was the most selfless person on the planet, raising an incredibly energetic kid well into her early 80s. I was a handful and I never heard her utter a complaint about a thing,” McAndrew said in the release. “She kept me busy with sports, youth group, Cub Scouts — you name it. I also had teachers and coaches that poured into me, and I want those same opportunities and support extended to the children of CDA School District No. 271.”

McAndrew serves as the vice president of real estate sales for Mountain West Bank. Professionally, his daily routine consists of many of the same duties and responsibilities of the trustee position.

“I have had the great opportunity of leading high producing teams that have consistently met and exceeded their goals all while managing, monitoring, and balancing budgets in a fiscally responsible manner,” McAndrew said. “I have ample experience in the areas of recruitment, hiring and firing, retaining talent and holding others accountable. Lastly, I have a long track record of implementing policies, procedures, and strategies to gain efficiencies and reach goals.”

His civic-mindedness is evidenced by the various leadership roles he has held in the community, the release said. McAndrew co-founded The Coeur Group in 2004 and their flagship project, The Locker Program, has been implemented in nearly every school in Kootenai County. These “lockers” are frequented weekly by approximately 300 underserved children so that they can get the clothes, hygiene products or school supplies they need so that they can focus on their academics. He also served as chair of EXCEL Foundation which rewards teachers by funding innovative and challenging projects in the classroom that would otherwise go unfunded. Both organizations are 100% self-funded and receive no tax dollars.

McAndrew said his top two priorities are student achievement and building trust in the community. He cites his Christian faith as being the cornerstone to serve and bless others.

“I’m looking for win-win-win-win outcomes. Parents want to know that their children are safe and receiving a world class education. The teachers, administrators and staff want the resources they need to do what they were born to do and have the support of their community,” McAndrew said in the release. “The taxpayers want to see that their hard-earned dollars are being managed wisely and they are receiving a fair return on their investment. If we are delivering in these areas, then the kids win, which is the most important part of the equation.”