Opinion

Tranquility and trust abound when first we, as individuals and a community, expect, seek out and "hold these truths to be self-evident."

What follows is corrections to "School board sets the record straight."

1. Boundary County School District "has been marked by dissension and controversy" for years — not just "the first three months of this school year."

2. The board may have "no qualms regarding people trying to learn more about the district." But, they do have enough qualms.

Not to allow people on the agenda; not to allow them to speak for more than three minutes; not to allow certain topics discussed during public meetings; not to allow a few questions; not to have those questions answered; not to set up a meeting at reasonable times; not to return phone calls; not to encourage solid communication between the people who comprise a district and their respective board members.

3. Of due course "the board has been inundated with allegations of malfeasance." Is it not "wrongful" to ignore the concerns of those a trustee was elected to represent? Yes, I understand "by law" the board's "first priority is to ensure that those who attend our schools are able to receive an adequate education."

We fully support education on numerous levels; we have for years. But we also recognize those children have families who are affected by the district's actions, aware of the misrepresentations, and aware of the lack of regard for what they and their children must endure.

I always thought that anyone with any knowledge of what has been going on, would be calling into question the board's/superintendent's actions, or lack there of, in an attempt to "effect the performance of one's duties" for the greater good of our community.

4. Last year, "Boundary County was the 17th fastest growing county in Idaho." However, BCSD's enrollment was down this year according to both BCSD's and the State Department of Education's numbers.

The first week's average daily attendance is still up for debate between the two years and still not addressed, but rather glossed over, ignored and only provided in part for others to examine, violating their legal right to examine and/or copy public records.

5. Again, the "emergency" levy is a misrepresentation of the facts. And let us not forget about the funding coming from the state on Feb. 15, 2008, a full 90 percent of all allocated funds including increased amounts to match our various needs.

6. The "$53,022 cushion/balance of funds not designated (yet) was acknowledged because "not everyone pays all of their taxes on time." Do you suppose that may be because the "average wage" is far from "average?"

Perhaps that's why the recent economic report wasn't presented in its entirety. All, while Bartling's salary has gone from $78,000 in 2001 to $88,651 this year and is up for review again in January.

7. The two initial payments of 30 percent (rather than 20 percent) paid to the district in August and October is known as "front-loading." BCSD is expecting an estimated $43,716 in interest for additional discretionary funds.

8. Melanie Staples, who states they "take all information into consideration," has now for the second time refused information. I found five pages from the Department of Environmental Quality written nearly two years ago in 2006 regarding "other serious health concerns" associated with known violations of uranium in Mount Hall's drinking water supplied by Mission Creek Water Association.

One e-mail from DEQ states, "It will be up to the school district to send this notice or any similar notice home to the parents of the students. It would make more sense to have the phone number of the school on any notice sent home to the parents though." The other pages are requirements that "must be" followed stating, "As consumers, you have the right to know…"

Are their responses "integrity upheld" or vague statements attempting to stifle our voices once more?

What greater gift can we give to our children now or in the future than a lifetime of genuine peace established by shared truths from which to work together?

Ingrid Pavia is a parent of students in the district and a resident of Bonners Ferry.