I hope the people of Post Falls now understand why partisan politics have no place in school board elections. Two extremely hard working dedicated people with a combined 30 years of volunteer experience were not elected and 2 candidates endorsed by the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans (KCRR) with NO experience in the district were elected.

It is not that I lost that has me upset, it is the KCRR tactics of lies, of deceit and most recently the letter from the Desk of Senator Nonini was just plain over the top. This is a school board election for crying out loud. Two days after the election and it is still confusing with regards to who wrote the defaming letter. Mr. Nonini backs away, now stating he simply signed off on the contents of the letter; and, now Jeff Ward, Carol Goodman and Glorie Ward seem to take credit for writing the letter defaming and criticizing both Julie Hunt (who was defeated by Goodman) and I. Mr. Nonini stated yesterday: "Politics is a full-contact sport, even in non-partisan elections," he said. "I appreciate Carol and Glorie asking me to sign a letter of endorsement. I support what they do." He wasn’t signing a letter of endorsement; a letter went out from his desk criticizing and lying about Julie and me. People were lied to and misled by Mr. Nonini, Mr. and Mrs. Ward, and Mrs. Goodman throughout this campaign. Mr. Nonini supports what they do, but how can the rest of us? How can we trust these people to help run the Post Falls School District?

Mr. Nonini, or should I say, Mr. Ward’s letter (just not sure) states that Julie Hunt and I are so out of touch with the district patrons that a change is in the works. Unbelievable, together we have over 30 years of experience serving on dozens of boards, committees, and volunteering in our schools. Where have Glorie and Carol been over all those years? We are the ones who are out of touch? Hundreds and hundreds of hours volunteering with other community members all in support of our school district, and we are out of touch. The funny thing, Julie and I would do it all over again, because we care. We care about the kids, we care about our excellent teachers, and we care about the Post Falls School District.

What gives Mr. Nonini and Mr. Ward the right to use their positions and assumed power to spread false facts… to mis-lead people? They know that Post Falls is one of the most fiscally conservative school district in the State of Idaho. They know that we built a new high school, new middle school and new elementary schools as conservatively as we could all without raising taxes. How dare they criticize people that they don’t know? Talk about out of touch, where have Mr. Nonini and Mr. Ward been. If it would be around the schools they seem to know so much about, they surely would have met Julie and me.

Win, lose or draw, we should all stand up with a basic set of principles. Tell the truth, be fair, and be the best person you can be. Things Julie Hunt and I strive for each and every day. Mr. Ward and Mr. Nonini should start thinking about this. Stuff like this tends to catch up to people.

This result is why partisan politics needs to stay out of school board elections.

Dave Paul