The Coeur d’Alene School District is among 73 districts statewide that have signed a memorandum of understanding for Race to the Top.   The MOU required the signature of the board chair, superintendent and president of the Coeur d’Alene Education Association.   Idaho will be competing against other states for a portion of $4.35 billion that the U.S. Department of Education is making available through competitive grants. If Idaho is successful in its bid, local districts that have...

    America’s youth are losing their competitive edge in the worldwide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) pipeline.  Ramsey Elementary School is committed to helping students prepare to be globally competitive by providing them with multiple hands-on science opportunities.    Ramsey’s quest began in April 2009 when the students participated in their first all-school Science Day. This was a new, engaging adventure for the students and teachers. All 600+ students spent the entire day rotating through a variety...

  The search has begun for a new principal for Lake City High School, following John Brumley’s announcement that he will retire at the end of the school year.   Applications for the position are being accepted from within and outside the District through February 5.  Applications will be screened by the superintendent and a committee on February 8-10 and finalists will be interviewed February 16-17. Superintendent Bauman hopes to take a recommendation to the School Board...

As Lakes Magnet Middle School approaches the halfway mark of the school year, Principal Chris Hammons and I want to express gratitude to the Coeur d’Alene community and share the exciting educational ventures taking place at our school.   This past summer, Lakes underwent an amazing extensive remodel of classroom spaces, and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.  Updated technology was installed in every classroom.  The remodel occurred in less than 90 days. What a...

A new program that encourages men to volunteer at elementary schools is having phenomenal success at the two schools that have implemented it.   Fernan and Ramsey recently adopted Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), an innovative program of the National Center for Fathering. Focus of the program is to encourage fathers and grandfathers to be positive and active role-models for students in their child’s school.   Fernan held its kickoff on October 29 and had 65 dads and 76...

  Twenty students and five teams from Lake City High School are eligible for the state Business Professionals of America (BPA) competition after placing in the regional contest recently at North Idaho College.   First-place individual qualifiers are Reveena Padda, advanced word processing; Ashley Chaffin, desktop publishing and graphic design promotion; Pat Hanlon, economic research; Corbin Staaben, web design; Keifer Hofacker, computer security; Peter Lujan, VB.NET; Lucas Palmer, extemporaneous speech; Taylar McClure, HR, and Lloyd Castleberry,...