Here’s a link to my full story at spokesman.com on how Coeur d’Alene Sen. Mary Souza pulled her controversial school election bill today, citing “political pressures.” The proposal, SB 1103a, sought to move school board elections to the November general election in even-numbered years – the same date that Idahoans go to the polls to vote for president, congressional seats, and other high-profile partisan offices. The second-term Republican said the change would increase turnout in school elections.

But the bill drew opposition from the Idaho Association of Counties, the Idaho School Boards Association and the Idaho Association of School Administrators, who said it would pose problems with the way school elections work, from trustee zones to the timing of school budgeting and the school year.

 The proposal also touched a nerve in Coeur d’Alene, where a bruising election fight in 2013 ousted a short-lived, ultra-conservative majority from the local school board, including three who were appointed, rather than elected. The bill also would remove current trustees from office six months early to accomplish the switch in voting dates, from May of odd-numbered years to November of even-numbered years.

“I’m appreciative she pulled the bill – I think it was the right thing to do,” said current Coeur d’Alene school trustee Christa Hazel, who defeated appointee Brent Regan in the 2013 election. “I also know Sen. Souza is tenacious, so I expect to see it back.” If so, Hazel said, she hopes Souza will work with her local school district. “The Coeur d’Alene School District has not collaborated or been asked to collaborate in this,” Hazel said. “The board has been in agreement that moving to a November election has some consequences.”