When I scroll through my Facebook page, the vast majority of my posts are about our students—the incredible activities they’re involved in, the memories they’re making, and the pride they bring to our community.
Just this week alone, I saw confident smiles shine on stage during our Distinguished Young Women program. I celebrated our golf team bringing home another tournament win. I watched buses load up with track athletes traveling across North Idaho to represent our schools. I wiped away a tear as I listened to walk-up songs and looked at senior night posters for our baseball team. Most days when I drive by the soccer field, there are kids out there on their own, kicking the ball and getting ready for this fall. And I am cheering from afar as my son and his BFHS teammate travel to compete on club basketball teams, preparing and improving for next season.
This is just one week—a snapshot of students being active, competing with pride, representing themselves, their families, and our schools. They are learning how to win, how to lose, how to work together, and how to grow.
Now imagine week after week… empty fields, empty gyms, empty auditoriums, empty classrooms, empty buses.
When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to come back to this community to give not just my own kids, but all kids, the chance to have a full education. Not just the basics inside a classroom—but an education enriched with electives and extracurricular activities, and all the life lessons that come from participating.
Communities all over the country have a responsibility to help give our youth opportunities to become their best, so when it’s time for them to leave our community, they can compete, continue to learn, and become successful on whatever path they choose. Electives and extracurricular activities are not “extras”—they are essential. They teach teamwork, perseverance, leadership, communication, responsibility, and heart. It is our responsibility as a community to provide these invaluable lessons for our students.
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Unfortunately, there was another side this week that most if you didn’t see. With all of the positives I celebrated this past week, I also witnessed some heartbreaking moments that made this a harsh reality. I can’t imagine the stress and agony as our superintendent had to hand-deliver letters to staff members who will lose their jobs if the May 20th Maintenance & Operations Levy doesn’t pass. It was gut-wrenching. I cried alongside colleagues at just the mere thought of losing these employees—our teammates, our friends, and the heartbeat of our district.
Many of these staff members grew up right here in this community. They are invested. They have been here for decades. They love our kids. They coach our kids. They give them opportunities to learn about being healthy and physically active. They teach them the importance of art, music and theater—skills and passions that help our kids find their voices and their confidence.
This isn’t just about losing extracurriculars or electives. It’s about losing the very people who make our schools and our community what they are. The stress we’ve already felt at just the thought of this levy not passing has been horrific. I can’t even imagine the devastation if it actually doesn’t.
I 100% agree that our State needs to change how our schools are funded. I don’t know anyone who disagrees with that. But right now, this levy is the only way to continue offering what our students need and deserve.
Every vote matters. Students who have just turned 18—please register and make your very first vote one that will directly impact your friends, your teammates, and the next generation. Carry with you all the lessons and opportunities that Boundary County has given you—and vote to protect those same opportunities for the students who come after you.
Please, vote YES on May 20th.
- Do it for our kids.
- Do it for our staff.
- Do it for the future of education and opportunity in our community.
Kelly Hinthorn
Bonners Ferry
