WBCSD elects board leaders

PRIEST RIVER — West Bonner County School District's new board chair and vice chair are familiar faces in new roles after trustees voted to install Ann Yount in the top post and Margaret Hall as vice chair.

Hall was previously the chair and Yount was the vice chair of the board prior to the vote at Wednesday's annual meeting.

Yount was nominated for the post by trustee Kathy Nash. There were no other nominations and the vote was unanimous.

In accepting the office, Yount thanked Hall for all she has done for the district and will continue to do.

"Margy has put her whole heart into this school and I appreciate her so, so much," Yount said.

With Yount installed in the seat, attention then turned to the vice chair post with Nash nominating new trustee, Delbert Pound. Pound, in turn, nominated Hall, who was voted into the seat in a 4-1 vote.

In public comments at the start of the meeting, some called on the board to make sweeping changes in board, contending that new leadership was needed to address an unwillingness to address academic issues or inefficiencies in board meetings and district operations.

"While all current board members have culpability, it is the board chair that runs the show as Margaret Hall has demonstrated over a long tenure of nearly 10 years," one commenter wrote in an email read at the meeting. "The school district is being run into the ground by poor leadership on the board."

The man cited scores in English, math and reading as well as the district's financial troubles as why Hall should not only not be returned to the post but should resign from the board altogether.

"I appreciate (the board's) service to the community and hope that changing the leadership will get the ball rolling in the right direction, both scholastically and financially," he added.

Others urged the board to delay changing leadership during what are challenging times for the district. 

"Given the pending hurdles faced by our district and the commencement of the new legislative session, I believe the stability in our current board leadership is crucial," resident Dan Brown wrote in a statement to the board, asking that it postpone any reorganization and keep the current leadership in place.

"(Margaret Hall's) work ethic, due diligence and experience are invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the coming months," Brown wrote. "The next six months will be a critical period for our school district and consistent, experienced leadership will be essential for our success."

Priest Lake Education Foundation members also called on the board to consider a continued emphasis on high qualifications and strengths to maintain the stability the district has seen over the past 18 months.

"The chair should be willing to continue their service with strong leadership and a focus to make the best decisions for the longevity of the district," organization officials wrote in the letter.

Prior to the vote, resident Merrilee Brumley told trustees that in signing the board's code of ethics they are pledging to the district's patrons, staff and students that they will do everything in their power to follow it.

"This choice should not be taken lightly and, in my opinion, personally reviewed often."

In deciding who to appoint as board chair and vice chair, Brumley told the trustees that they needed to consider the appointments carefully.

Kendra Salesky was named board treasurer and Julie Hinshaw was named board clerk.