Two apply for school board vacancy

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Two people have applied for a vacancy on Libby Public School Board.

The school board by Sept. 12 could appoint either former board member Jerry Frament or newcomer Tracy Comeau. Both made unsuccessful bids for the board during an election on May 2.

The appointee will replace Lisa Bardole, who resigned in August. Bardole cited a lack of time to dedicate herself to the position. She and her husband, Jon, make fly fishing equipment. Bardole also teaches fly fishing through her business, A Lady's Angle.

Superintendent Kirby Maki expects the school board to interview Frament and Comeau for the volunteer position during a Sept. 12 agenda meeting .

"Then the board would select one," Maki said.

Frament, a 62-year-old retired computer systems analyst/manager, served on the board for three years. He placed fifth out of seven candidates during the May 2 election with 307 votes.

Calls from several people, including current board members, principals and Bardole convinced Frament to apply.

"I got a lot of calls," he said. "The first was from Lisa Bardole. She was wanting me to think about it."

"I guess I was doing a reasonable job," Frament continued. "I also feel the school district has an investment in me after three years of going to meetings and training. I'd like to pay that back."

He has one son in the school district, who is a sophomore.

Tracy Comeau, 42, owns H & R Block franchises in Libby and Bonners Ferry. She has three children in the school district, ages 7, 8 and 9, and is willing to make a long-term commitment to the board.

"It seems like it would be a good fit for me, to do something for the community," Comeau said. "Whatever decisions are made by the school board, I can see the effects."

She received 204 votes during the May 2 election. Lee Disney and Gela Rae Koehler, both members of Friends of the Historic Libby High School, won seats with 573 and 393 votes. Incumbent Melanie Wood got the third seat with 470 votes.