It's not easy doing public service, especially when that service requires many hours and pays nothing.

It's even more difficult, and far lonelier, when you're the public servant who casts a lone “no vote.”

Just ask Christa Hazel.

Hazel is a member of the Coeur d'Alene School Board, mother of two children who attend schools she oversees, and is a lawyer by training. She's a smart, civic-minded person who works relentlessly to understand the issues she ultimately votes on.

On Monday night, Hazel voted “no” on the district's decision to ask voters to support a $35.5 million bond in mid-March. The other school board members — Casey Morrisroe, Dave Eubanks, Tom Hearn and Tambra Pickford — respectfully disagreed.

“Respect” is a key word here.

At some point, The Press editorial board will make its recommendations on the bond and an additional $32 million over two years for the district's maintenance and operations levy. But today we're not debating the school district's $67.5 million total request. We're pointing out some keys to democratic process and decision-making, emphasizing the need to respect those who might disagree and urging a full understanding of what these requests entail.

Those supporting the bond and M&O levy are armed with some pretty powerful arguments. Interest rates are still low but starting to go up, so now is a good time to finance. Most people who want to work have jobs, so many bank accounts are in the black. According to recent Labor Department statistics, wages in Kootenai County are going up; some of them way up. Meantime, supporters on the school board will say, the many wants and needs outlined in the proposals are completely justified, geared to accomplish much for many students at the least cost.

And then there's Christa Hazel, standing alone. Christa's big concern is that by putting the bond issue on the same March ballot as the maintenance and operations levy, the district raises the risk of angry voters shooting down both requests. In her view, the bond request is important, but the M&O levy is essential. If the levy fails, untold jobs will be lost, and the quality of education in District 271 will be sorely tested if it loses almost a quarter of its budget. Saying Monday night that she hopes she's wrong, Hazel ended up voting the way both her head and her heart guided her. But because of that “no” vote, many district patrons will pay closer attention moving forward than a rubber stamp might have encouraged. We learn little from people we agree with, and much from those who see things differently.

With just two months to go before voters decide, The Press will devote plenty of attention to what the requests entail. Then thousands of families and individuals in the district are going to be asked to cast informed votes, fully understanding the details and anticipating the consequences — just like Christa Hazel did Monday night.