McGuire to lead West Bonner schools

Michael McGuire will take over as superintendent of the West Bonner School District starting July 1.

Until then, the Spokane Public Schools principal is taking the time to learn about Idaho funding and other particulars of his new schools.

McGuire accepted the school board’s offer Thursday. He will replace retiring Superintendent Tony Feldhausen.

In his tenure as head of the district, McGuire plans to tackle the facilities challenge at West Bonner and make sure all children are receiving an education.

McGuire is a high school principal on special assignment in Spokane and has been overseeing capital improvement projects. He also is interim director of safety, security and transportation. In his 31 years of education, McGuire has been a vocal-music teacher and a principal.

When asked during the interview process if he’s prepared to wear several hats, McGuire responded: “I think I can do that.”

– Rasha Madkour

Seized cocaine worth $3.1 million

Border Patrol agents are calling a drug seizure made last weekend one of the highest-valued in the history of the Spokane Sector Border Patrol,

In a statement released Friday, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said agents recovered $3.1 million in cocaine in a rural area near Oroville, Wash., on March 11. Three suspected drug dealers got away. The spokesman said public information about the drug seizure was delayed “due to an investigation.”

The cocaine was found after Border Patrol agents near Oroville spotted three persons carrying backpacks and walking north toward the Canadian border. When agents attempted to question them, the trio took off, leading officers on a foot pursuit. The threesome eventually dropped their backpacks and fled.

Inside the backpacks, agents found bundles of cocaine totaling 98 pounds, a border patrol spokesman said.

– Gina Ferrer

Principal candidates to meet public

Parents and community members have an opportunity next week to meet and comment on two candidates for principal of Coeur d’Alene High School.

The finalists are Warren Olson, assistant principal at CHS, and Randy Russell, assistant principal at North Central High School in Spokane.

Staff and student groups will interview the candidates in separate events.

The community meetings will take place on Tuesday at the CHS auditorium. Candidates will make introductory comments and answer pre-developed questions. Olson will take the stage from 8 to 8:45 a.m.; Russell from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.

The district will ask participants to fill out brief comment sheets on both candidates.

A selection will be made by the end of the week. Steve Casey, currently the principal at CHS, is retiring at the end of the school year.

– Rasha Madkour