The claim is that Americans are angry. The finger points at Washington incompetence, but what goes on locally clearly mirrors the national problems!

This citizen attempts (with some success) to break the ongoing stiff-arming by state and local officials who refuse to improve Idaho’s public schools. As an example, Mr. Hearn is presently a candidate as state representative to Boise. He was previously asked at the CDA Chamber Education Committee meeting how many school days “his” district 271 attends? As a School Board member, and previous head, he had no idea. (Ever-lessening of school days is noted as one of the major issues plaguing American public schools.) As a member of that body (the CDA 271 Board), Mr. Hearn has watched our Charter Academy quickly become one of the top 50 public high schools in America. Mr. Hearn’s district (271) is, however, known more for its inability of two-thirds of its students to perform at grade level on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT).

Another example: Our school District 271 has announced that they are trying to pass a school bond for an unheard of $30M in March of 2017. Presently, such school bond elections are not held coincident with General Elections — when citizens pay close attention and represent a far larger percentage of the citizenry. School elections are now held at District 271 schools where teachers comprise the vast percentage of voters. This citizen asked for the support of two of our elected officials, Mr. Mendive and Mr. Cheatham, to promote legislation to change this alarming reality. They didn’t even respond with a call or email.

State Senator Nonini was also asked to present the issue. He agreed with the need to change the voting “arrangements” and the issue was given a legislation numbers 1307 and 1308. Senator Nonini failed to attend the legislative meeting, and, without a spokesman, the issue wasn’t discussed, and, was tabled.

The attention given and effort made to accomplish obvious improvements in our public schools is disgraceful. Perhaps campaign monies come from places like the Idaho Teachers Union to guarantee an absence of improvements in our public schools. Such stalemates are a massive embarrassment to Idaho. Thousands of kids’ potential is being shortchanged due to District 271. Each of the mentioned incumbents are typically, nonetheless, determined to get re-elected. This sounds more like the Soviet Union of the 1980s.

RONALD DEADY

Coeur d’Alene