The influence of Republican partisanship on the Coeur d'Alene School Board took another hit late Monday afternoon when new Trustee Tom Hearn was sworn in as the board chairman replacing Trustee Tom Hamilton, who didn't attend the meeting. The other holdover trustee, Terri Seymour, opposed the appointment of Hearn and new Vice Chairman Christa Hazel. Hearn, Hazel and Dave Eubanks were sworn in as trustees, replacing three appointees on a board that has been involved in controversy for much of the last year. Hearn and Hazel will replace Hamilton and Brent Regan as board representatives in negotiations with the teachers union, which will resume July 15, 25 and 26. (Information from Kelli Bruce-Aiken's Facebook wall)