Outburst at meeting was not appropriate

I am dismayed and appalled at Mindy Cameron’s outburst to Steve Youngdahl, Lake Pend Oreille School Board chairman, at the school board meeting this week. Not only did she ignore Roberts Rules of Order, but continued her outrageous behavior. Youngdahl explained she could speak later during their meeting and also at the workshops. He explained that the forum was for public input.

Superintendent Shawn Woodward said that there was overwhelming evidence against arming staff. But, more than half of the speakers were supportive of giving certain staff members guns. There was a clear effort by groups hostile to the proposal to stuff the auditorium and respond loudly to their side.

Proponents spoke in support of training an effective crisis team of staff with specific roles and responsibilities for protecting students. Their reasons were clear and articulate even though the other side sometimes rambled. They reiterated that a gun free zone was a target and red flag for criminals. They spoke of the safety of their children who were protected at home, yet the parents needing to disarm when at school. They also explained that an armed response within the school was the only way to reduce death count in these horrible incidents. Strong hearts and level heads need to prevail.

MAUREEN PATERSON

Priest River