Puddles and Priest River Spirit, YAY!

 

Puddles aren't always pretty, but they were this morning. 

We're getting another cleansing and a welcome boost for the pastures. 

I told the horses, as I walked them down the lane, that this rain was going to be good for them because it would grow them more grass. 

I don't know if my horses were happy about the rain, but I was----just as I was earlier this morning when I received an overnight text from my friend and superb letter writer, Ernie Schoeffel. 

WE DID IT, MARIANNE, YES!

Such welcome news from over in Priest River.

As you can see from the results, the West Bonner County Recall of two school board members wasn't even close. 

It's been invigorating and inspiring to watch the community spirit over to the west of us in Bonner County as patrons decided that the decisions being made by their board were not in the best interests of the students and community as a whole. 

So, they rolled up their sleeves and did something about it, striving to stay above board in their strategies. 

As Ernie told me last week, their efforts focused on disagreeing and putting that disagreement into action in a respectful, informed, reasonable and positive way. 

It worked. 

The lesson of the Priest River School Board situation provides a lesson for us all.

Two V's. 

Vigilance and Voting. 

We must pay attention and not fall asleep at the wheel when it comes to the interests of the common good. 

Furthermore, if we veer off course, voting CAN be a powerful tool in taking care of the problem.   

Congratulations to the Priest River community for its fine example and for its impressive triumph, all for the good of public education and, most importantly, the community's students. 

I'm sure the young people who have watched and participated in this civic lesson will remember the teamwork and great example in their future dealings. 

Let the wounds heal and let good ol' public education and all the enriching accessories that go with it begin!

Best of luck to all Priest River students and to district staff.  

May this be your best school year ever.