Community speaks out on family night

BONNERS FERRY — The members of the Boundary County School Board recently voted to discontinue family night, the long standing tradition for observing Wednesday night for family activities. All school functions had to be completed by 6:30 p.m. The school activities are not eliminated, they are shortened on that evening.

“It is such a can of worms, that Wednesday family night, “ said Superintendent Gary Pflueger. “I know some churches use Wednesday night. I’d recommend we just leave it as it is and continue.”

The accustomed courtesy has allowed for the community ministerial association to dedicate family night for youth church group functions. This evening has also allowed for families to devote one evening a week for family dinner, movie, or however they see fit without school events conflicting with family bonding.

The board members who voted to keep family night include Tess Rae and Beverey Krichbaum. Those against family night were Nichele Whittaker, Ron MacDonald and David Brinkman.

The community of Boundary County has voiced their opinions about changing the time-honored tradition. Community members recently started a petition to continue family night.

In the petition, they ask if the vote was an accurate representation of the majority of the community’s desires. Those who have signed the petition are requesting that the issue be revisited and the decision be changed.

“As someone who moved to the area two years ago, I was very impressed that a community honored the family and family time like this. I would be so disappointed to see something like this go away,” said one woman on the website, signing her name as “Kristi M. from Idaho.

The petition can be viewed at www.thepetitionsite.com/333/509/543/please-continue-to-honor-wednesday-as-family-night