A strong school district is vital to the success of any community, and you will find a staunch advocate for LPOSD in Gary Suppiger who is running for re-election in Zone 2 for Lake Pend Oreille School Board. Gary has been in our community for nearly three decades and has always been a proponent of education, volunteering his time throughout the years for the betterment of our schools and our students. He is accountable and transparent and has extremely high integrity.

My two children were raised in the LPOSD along with Gary’s three children. Gary was always, and continues to be, an active supporter of extracurricular activities while also holding students accountable scholastically. I am sure we can all agree that with the current climate of COVID and isolation, our children’s mental health is at the forefront of concern and extracurricular activities will go a long way to support that.

Gary is a proponent of maintaining local control of our education. He listens to the concerns of parents, patrons and students and is an advocate for the children of our schools.

LPOSD has thrived during the last four years with Gary on the board. Over the course of the last school year, SHS students earned 500 college credits through AP dual credit classes. The graduation rate is over 90 percent, and the district has exceeded every measure of student performance set forth by the Idaho State Board of Education.

I raised my two children here in Sandpoint, and they have both gone on to be teachers in other districts. Gary has been a mentor to them and is always available to anyone who brings forth concerns. Please, I urge you to vote for Gary Suppiger on Nov. 2. The future of education in our community is in good hands with him.

PATTY HUTCHENS

Dover