LAKELAND: Board ruining school district

With everything that is coming to light with the current board members of the Lakeland Joint School District I felt I needed to say a couple of things. I was in Lakeland my entire school career, kindergarten to high school graduation, and I loved every second and I know my teachers did too. 

Over the past couple of years, I have slowly watched those teachers’ love for teaching and for their school district dim, all due to three specific board members. Michelle Thompson, Ramona Grissom, and Dave Quimby have ruined the district I used to be so proud of being a part of. The previous superintendent, Lisa Arnold, retired early due to absolute disrespect and micromanaging by those three board members. 

I have been to numerous board meetings and witnessed firsthand how teachers, students, and community members are met with such disrespect from them. The countless amount of eye rolls, looks of disgust, and just plain malevolence from these three is disgusting. Based on voting patterns, Michelle and Romona have shown they are not interested in listening to the voices of parents and staff. They only care about those who align with their political views. As for Dave Quimby, he just follows whatever Michelle and Ramona say. 

The board is supposed to lead with respect and transparency, which none of these three are doing. I am so devastated to see how this district has turned out after loving it for so many years. There needs to be changes in the board in the future if we all want Lakeland to be a good place for children to be raised again.

KAILYN SEXTON

Rathdrum