State of the District updates community on objectives, ongoing work in SD271

COEUR d’ALENE — One of Chuck Kiesel's favorite things to do every morning is greet the students at Coeur d'Alene High School.

"I get to see the parents too,” he said. "It helps us build a relationship with the parents as well as with the students."

As a campus security officer, it's Kiesel's duty and privilege to get to know these students and treat them with respect and compassion.

"Even though we have some of those negative interactions, we are still able to have a friendly and cordial, meaningful conversation," Kiesel said.

Kiesel is one of four campus security offers who keep extra eyes on the high schools. Two work at Coeur d'Alene, two work at Lake City, and they communicate information as they add an extra level of security and comfort for the students they protect.

In brilliant yellow uniforms "visible from 100 yards away," Kiesel said the students have told him when they need something, they look for that yellow shirt. One student has even bestowed a new nickname on the CSOs.

"She goes, 'The Highlighters,'" Kiesel said, smiling. "That's perfect, I’ve been looking for a new band name."

Kiesel spoke Wednesday evening at the Coeur d'Alene Education Partnership's eighth annual State of the District event, held at the Innovation Den in downtown Coeur d'Alene. This year's theme was "Growing Into the Future as a Community United, Inclusive and Equitable."

The work of the CSOs is just one part of how the money from last year's levy is being spent. Voters last March passed the $20 million-per-year maintenance and operations levy, of which $4 million per year has gone to school supplies, training, mental health, teacher pay and security — which includes the CSOs.

“The campuses and the students are reaping the rewards of our position,” Kiesel said.

CHS senior Parker Dreshel emphasized the importance of having the CSOs on-site.

“The campus safety officers come in and help us with any needs we have in our school," Parker said. "I just love getting to know these guys."

A lot has transpired since last year's State of the District presentation.

A curriculum audit was conducted, which gave Coeur d'Alene several areas to focus on as a strategic plan was developed around instructional framework, curriculum management, assessment, socio-emotional learning and equity.

"Those are the things that we are spending a tremendous amount of time right now," said Superintendent Steve Cook.

Work has been ongoing in the school zone boundary review process, which is expected to go to the school board for final review March 18.

Construction has begun on the new Northwest Expedition Academy building and the $5.7 million Lakes Middle School renovation was completed at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, but because of the population explosion in the area the district is already looking ahead to the construction of a new middle school to relieve the three at-capacity existing middle schools. Another elementary school is on the horizon, as well.

"There's no space at any of our middle schools," Cook said.

The speakers fielded questions after their presentations. After the "Facilities of Tomorrow" panel with Coeur d'Alene School District director of operations Jeff Voeller, long-range planning committee chair Jerry Anderson, Lakes Principal Jeff Bengtson and Lakes eighth-grader Luke Sharon, one attendee asked a topical question about whether Coeur d'Alene's schools are equipped to handle a crisis such as a school shooting or a coronavirus outbreak.

"Honestly, I hope that day never comes," Voeller said. "We spend a lot of time practicing and preparing for that. Every week, there's different schools that are doing drills to prepare for that. We work with our police department and law enforcement regularly to prepare for that and we have a two-minute response time to every school."

The evening was completed with special awards for students who are beacons of kindness in their schools. The SPEAK (Students Performing Extraordinary Acts of Kindness) Awards were heartfeltly presented by former CHS principal Steve Casey to Borah Elementary second-grader Lily Van Leuven, Woodland Middle School eighth-grader Alex Hammer and CHS' Parker Dreshel.

Founded in 2012, the Coeur d'Alene Education Partnership was is an independent, nonprofit partnership driven by the belief that every student deserves a public education of the highest quality. It works to unite individuals, businesses and organizations in support of excellence in public education, to keep the community informed about educational developments and to advocate on a local and state level for superior public schools.

Info: www.cdaep.org