Cd'A School District cancels special board meeting
The special meeting of the Coeur d’Alene School District's board of trustees set for 5:15 tonight to discuss the residency of Zone 1 Trustee Allie Anderton has been canceled.
The district said the following in a news release:
"The board received a patron email on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from a citizen living in Zone 1 (Trustee Anderton’s zone), raising the concern of whether Trustee Anderton is currently living within that zone. Upon receipt of the email, the Board Chair and district administration contacted Trustee Anderton seeking written confirmation that she continued to reside in her zone.
As this matter does not meet the criteria for an executive session, the discussion was scheduled for an open, public board meeting. The special meeting was called on Monday, October 16, 2023, because, at that time, the Board had still not received a written response confirming Trustee Anderton’s residency within Zone 1 and Idaho Code requires that a school board act to declare a vacancy when a trustee has moved out of their zone.
Trustee Anderton responded to these inquiries Tuesday, October 17, 2023. In an email to Board Chair Rebecca Smith, Trustee Anderton stated, 'According to Idaho code 34-107, my residency remains at 3799 S. Wolf Lodge Creek Rd. The claims being made against me are untrue. Idaho code 34-107 defines residence, and temporary accommodations do not qualify as a new residence. It is my present intention to return to my home when the divorce is final.'
Legal counsel for the District confirmed trustee residency, as defined by Idaho Code 34-107, does allow for a temporary absence from one’s primary residence, provided that the individual has 'the present intention of returning after an absence therefrom.' I.C. 34-107.
'After careful consideration of Trustee Anderton’s response and consultation with the District’s legal counsel, I am comfortable with Trustee Anderton’s explanation and statement of intent to return to her residence in Zone 1. Therefore, we will not proceed with a special meeting today to discuss the matter,' Smith said. 'We will continue to work through the issue with Trustee Anderton to ensure compliance with applicable board policies and state statutes regarding trustee residency.'
'At no time was this situation personal, nor an attack on Trustee Anderton. I have no desire to discuss sensitive and personal matters in a public forum,' said Smith. 'I have a great deal of respect for Trustee Anderton’s privacy and empathy for her as she manages through a difficult life challenge. That said, as Board Chair, I am duty-bound to uphold state law and board policy concerning matters in front of us. In this case, without a clear response from Trustee Anderton about her residency, I made the decision to begin the conversation via a special meeting.'
'We look forward to continued productive conversations and to resolving any remaining questions as quickly as possible so we can return to the district’s important, student-focused work.'"