Handleman, Hazel and the dueling memos

Continuing discussion on overcrowded schools in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden has led to dueling memos between the school district’s board chair and superintendent.

The memos, included in the packet of documents distributed to school trustees in advance of tonight’s board meeting, are associated with an action item called “Attendance Zone Decisions.” Board Chair Christa Hazel wrote the initial memo, stating she wanted it made publicly available “in the interest of honoring open meeting laws as well as a desire to be transparent.”

“I have significant concerns about the process utilized to assist the Attendance Zone Committee’s recent recommendations,” Hazel wrote. “Without question, I believe the committee volunteers did an excellent job with the parameters placed upon them. They followed directions well and covered significant issues in a short time frame, however, I am unclear why these parameters were placed upon the committee that, in my opinion, were not board directed.”

Hazel then detailed 14 concerns she has about the committee, including an issue with the makeup of the committee itself. A review of the committee members, Hazel wrote, shows that it “was largely comprised of staff personnel or same-household relatives of district staff.” Full story. Keith Cousins, Cda Press