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Group announces PF school board endorsements

| September 24, 2021 1:00 AM

Citizens for Post Falls Schools (CPFS) on Thursday announced its endorsements for the Post Falls Board of Trustees. Zone One: Neil Uhrig; Zone Four: Bridget Malek; and Zone Five: Jake Dawson.

The vetting process included an extensive questionnaire from CPFS, and publicly available information was included. The vetting team consisted of Jerry Keane, former superintendent of Post Falls School District; Karen Lauritzen, Post Falls parent and teacher; Stephanie Broadwater, Post Falls parent and teacher; Christopher Mathews, Post Falls parent; and Kelsey Mack, Post Falls parent.

Uhrig is a member of the Post Falls Police Department and has served as a School Resource Officer in the schools. Committee members who have worked with Uhrig cited the high quality of his work as an SRO and stated that protecting kids is his life’s work. His two biggest concerns are the impact of growth on the district and the pay disparity between Washington and Idaho. Uhrig has two children in the district.

Malek was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2016 and elected in 2017. Committee members noted that she has demonstrated an open-mindedness and willingness to learn. She has a history of asking experts and not relying on hearsay. She is deeply committed to improving education, being non-partisan and advocating for students and teachers. She is employed as the operations executive administration assistant/program coordinator at Coeur d’Alene Environment. Malek has three children. Her eldest attended Post Falls schools through his junior year and two are current students.

Dawson is a third generation Post Falls resident. He attended Post Falls schools from kindergarten through high school. The committee believes that the fact that he is young will bring a new perspective to the board. Dawson has a history of working with youth in our community, both at the Boys and Girls Club and in youth ministry. He supports public education and is committed to the non-partisan nature of the position. Dawson is a Journeyman Stationary Engineer at Sacred Heart Medical Center. He and his wife (also a Post Falls graduate) have two young children who will be attending Post Falls schools.

Citizens can register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and find their polling location by visiting VoteIdaho.Gov.