Brinkman, Staples on school board

Voters on Tuesday had the opportunity to choose Boundary County School District trustees in zones three and four.

Melanie Staples retained her seat as zone four trustee and David Brinkman earned the zone three seat.

Staples had 266 votes while Shelton came in with 219.  Brinkman won his seat with 307 votes over Hiatt’s 242.

In the zone the three trustee's race, Brinkman had 156 votes in the Kootenai precinct, 31 in the North Bonners Ferry precinct, three in the Naples precinct and 117 in the Valley View precinct to Hiatt’s 116, 21, 1 and 104.

In the zone four race, Staples claimed 58 votes in the Bonners Ferry precinct, 158 in the North Bonners Ferry precinct.  Fifty votes for Staples were cast in the Valley View precinct to Shelton’s 50, 104 and 65.

BCSD Supt. Don Bartling had good things to say about all four trustee candidates.

Sulet Hiatt has been on the board for two years and Melanie Staples is currently board chair after serving eight years on the board.

“They are both wonderful ladies, and they've given a lot to this school district,” Bartling said. “I congratulate Mr. Brinkman, and I thank Mr. Shelton for his willingness to serve the people of this community. I think it says a lot about this community to have such qualified and dedicated people step up and face the challenges of an election for positions that are entirely voluntary.”

In fact, the school board, which will now be Gil Hagen, Tim Bertling, Brinkman, Staples and Lisa Dirks, have many challenges ahead, Bartling said.