Gary Suppiger

Office sought: LPOSD Zone 2

Occupation: Panhandle Forest Products business owners

Education: Duke University; Durham, NC; Bachelor’s degree, Chemistry, Duke University; Durham, NC; Master’s degree, Forestry

Family: Married 31 Years, wife Sally; children: Gerhart, 28, Madeline, 27, Caroline, 24

Website: suppigerforschools.com

1. Public education is the foundation of our country. I believe every young American is entitled to as good an education as the community can afford. My three children attended school in LPOSD from K-12. They thrived, went to college, and are now pursuing worthwhile careers of their own. I want to make sure that all the future classes of students have the same opportunities. Whether they go on to college, trade school, the military, or directly into the workforce, our graduates need the skills to not only survive but thrive.

2. I have 4 years’ experience on the school board. I understand the political and fiscal challenges of a public school district in Idaho. As a school board member, I have attended local, regional, and state-wide meetings and trainings. Before I was elected to my first term, I volunteered for 12 years as a fifth and sixth grade math club coach at Sagle Elementary School. I volunteered on district-level committees involved with budgets, curriculum, parent administration coordination, and facilities. My three children attended LPOSD schools from K-12 and I was involved with all their teachers and activities.

3& 4

No. 1: Safety and security, especially during the pandemic. Safety is a prerequisite to the mission of education. We must maintain our safety protocols including social distancing, daily disinfecting, deep cleaning, clean air, clean water, and cohort groupings.

No. 2: Academic achievement. Make sure every child is engaged and learning. Focus on reading in K-3, teach students to problem solve and be critical thinkers, work independently or with a group, be creative and innovative, and always be kind and do your best.

No. 3: Prepare for the next step. Acquire the skills in communication, math, science, and social sciences to compete and succeed at the next step. Always be patient, and understanding of others.

1. Work to make our schools the best they can be. Every child deserves the opportunity to achieve educational success. Education plays an important role in the success of individuals, families, and communities. It prepares young people for life, work, and family. Educated people are healthier, happier and more productive throughout their lifetime. My goal is to support a strong public education system that prepares our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Offer more course choices: add CTE, add arts and electives, and challenge college-bound students with more academic choices.

2. Experience counts. I supported LPOSD for more than 20 years as a father, classroom volunteer, and by serving on district-level committees before I sought a seat on the school board. As a board member, I have attended countless school board meetings at the local, regional and state levels, as well as school events. I trained, studied, and prepared for this job. My opponent has lived in North Idaho less than four years. He was never a student in LPOSD. He was never a staff member, or volunteer at any of our schools. He does not send any of his school-age children to our schools. He has never served on a district level committee. He has never approached any teacher, administrator, or board members about any educational or fiscal issue at LPOSD. His first time in any of our buildings was at Southside Elementary School to pose for a campaign photo.

3. First, our community should be very proud of our school system here. Our school district continues to rank near the top in Idaho in all of the major metrics used to evaluate schools.

In addition, our community needs to know that LPOSD does not require masks or vaccines. These are choices made by the families of our students and their doctors. We have been able to keep our students safe with our protocols including disinfecting, daily deep cleaning, social distancing, hand washing, smaller class sizes and maintaining class (cohort) groupings. This school district and its board put the highest priority on the safety and health of our students and staff.

1. Our district is heading in the right direction. During my tenure we have navigated the pandemic keeping our students safe and in school. LPOSD is the only school district in North Idaho that kept children in school five days a week during the 20-21 school year. During the last four years we added all-day kindergarten, several tracks to our vocational education program, and established an after-school program at three of our elementary schools. But there is more work to do.

2. What successes can you point to that you were substantially involved in over the past four years related to education? I have advocated for and have helped to implement free full day kindergarten in all of our elementary schools, after school programs at three elementary schools, and two homeschooling programs at LPOSD. Additional Career Tech courses and pathways have been expanded at SHS with my full support and assistance. Six of the students that I mentored and tutored at Sagle School went on to become Valedictorians at SHS.

3. LPOSD is committed to recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining quality teachers and classified staff. Fortunately, we have been able to attract multiple applicants for our open teaching jobs. LPOSD has a reputation among educators for supporting its teachers and employees. Wages are higher than surrounding in-state districts, but significantly lower than districts in Montana or Washington. With inflation and the cost of living, especially in housing costs in Sandpoint, it will become more difficult to attract quality educators into our district. Teachers can’t work for us if they cannot afford to live in our community.

4. Pay competitive wages and support efforts to provide affordable housing. LPOSD strives to put every possible dollar in the classroom. We have no debt to repay and a very lean administration. Many of our administrators wear multiple hats, working as an administrator and in the classroom. The LPOSD school board recently listened to a presentation by Rob Hart and the Bonner County Housing Agency. We support his effort to bring affordable workforce housing to Bonner County. School districts have legal constraints that private employers do not, but we are encouraging him, and the landowners and builders allied with him, to support affordable housing options.

5. LPOSD school district is always open to the public. We encourage parents to not only visit but to participate in every classroom in our schools. Transparency and volunteerism are instrumental to education. Our administrators welcome input. They return phone calls and answer all emails. Any citizen may address the school board in writing or in person at any of our meetings. There are periodic opportunities for citizens to participate in forums or committees on curriculum, budget, facilities, levies, and parent district relations. School board members are not educators; they are citizens who are elected and volunteer their time for kids and the benefit of the community.