Coeur d'Alene school trustee resigns following DUI citation

Trustee Allie Anderton, who was arrested early Easter morning and cited for driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia, resigned Wednesday morning from the Coeur d'Alene School Board, effective immediately.

"The trustees thank Trustee Anderton for her service and dedication to our students and District 271," Coeur d'Alene School District officials said in a Wednesday news release.

In her resignation letter, acquired by The Press through a public record request, Anderton said that regardless of the outcome of the situation that occurred, the image it has burdened the board and district with required this decision to be made. 

"In no way has anything that has challenged my personal life impacted the decisions or dedication I have made on and to the board, and I believe you all know and understand that," Anderton said in the letter. "We have together worked to create an amazing team, and I am heartbroken that this situation will impact the momentum we worked so hard to create together."

A Kootenai County Republican Central Committee-endorsed candidate, Anderton was elected to the school board in 2021. She represented Zone 1, which includes communities on the east side of the district, such as Dalton Gardens and Fernan Lake Village. 

Post Falls police arrested Anderton around 1 a.m. Sunday and cited her for driving under the influence, a misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. She was booked into Kootenai County Jail after refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test after undergoing field sobriety testing. Under Idaho law, anyone who does not take a test to determine alcohol concentration may be prosecuted for driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating substances. 

The board will declare a vacancy at its next regular meeting May 12 and discuss the candidate selection process. 

Anderton's term expires in December.

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This story has been updated to reflect that Anderton cooperated for field testing but did not submit to breathalyzer testing.