Condolences ... or why I'm fearful

By Mike Weland

Next month, Nichele Whitakker and I are to be sworn in as new sitting members of the board of trustees of Boundary County School District 101. We are, officially, elected officials.

A few have pulled me aside since the election to bid me congratulations, and I am grateful … but:

I can’t speak for Nichele, but I received 48 votes to defeat Gil Hagen, who has served honorably for years, and Liz Sloot, an honorable contender. I don’t take pride in winning an election in which a mere four percent of the registered voters cast ballots. In District 1, only 108 people cast ballots.

I did not win by mandate, but by apathy. To be honest, I am scared.

As a reporter, I don’t believe the public is at fault. As a former public servant in a terribly thankless position as county zoning administrator, I know that I’m in line for brickbats.

I don’t know if I can make any difference or not, but it’s my sincere belief that the dull thud of getting whacked in the head can be alleviated somewhat through admitting, “I don’t know.”

I will depend on the administrators to give me sound advice, but I cannot feel obligated to blindly accept that advice until the people I’ve been elected to represent have in hand the same public information to which I’m entitled, and the opportunity to talk.

I may not vote your way, but I will do my best to tell you all I can about those issues I’m called to vote on.

I went to an Idaho State School Board Association meeting last week. I learned not much. I will not blindly hear the NEA, the teacher’s union, either.

“Your primary responsibility is always to the student,” we were told. “Hire a good Superintendent and a solid administration, and heed their advice.”

While that concept appears sound, I think it’s bass ackwards. I recall my days as a student, and remember the teachers who motivated me. To the best of my recollection, I never knew what a principal or superintendent really did. When my superintendent subbed my class when the teacher got hurt, it was an easy skip day.

I wasn't an ideal student. Not to compare myself, but neither was Albert Einstein.

As newly elected “official,” I willingly confess my ignorance.  I need to hear from the people footing the bill to know what to do … and I confess that I’m not smart enough to make decisions involving your kids or our future without asking your help.

I’ve been congratulated; but I think condolences may have been more appropriate. I may run afoul of the status quo, but I will ever argue that this school district has succeeded so well thanks to the quality of its teachers, cooks and janitors.

When I am privileged to write a student success story, I’ve not yet heard mention yet of a board inspiring, nor an administrator.

I have no idea whatever if I can be a help or hindrance, not when a mere four percent of the public I’ve been elected to serve cast a ballot. I’ll do what I can, and I’ll measure success by turnout at the next election.

Not a “special” election, either.

Voters should not be called upon to make a special trip to the polls for a school board election. That speaks of duplicity and guile and explains why there is such little faith in this county's school board

You deserve us to explain why we ask for what we do and to play a meaningful part in the process. If we, whom you elected to serve you, offer less, we deserve to be unseated.