Caldwell trustees select new board member after interviews

CALDWELL — Caldwell trustees Monday appointed Erin Smith to a vacant school board seat. 

A Caldwell native with two daughters who graduated from the district, Smith is executive director for the Caldwell Foundation for Educational Opportunity, a nonprofit that raises scholarship money for graduating seniors. 

Smith told the board that she hopes to boost student attendance, increase parent engagement and strengthen local business relationships with the school district. She previously worked in retail management and as an office manager for a funeral chapel and for the Caldwell Chamber of Commerce.

“We really want to show that we are the place to be,” Smith said. 

Smith was one of four applicants to a vacant seat formerly held by Andrew Butler, who resigned Oct. 27. Trustees interviewed three applicants Monday after one withdrew before the board’s regular meeting.

The other two applicants who were interviewed were: 

• Don Atkinson, a longtime softball coach and co-founder of the Caldwell Girls’ Athletic League Softball (GALS), a nonprofit youth sports league.
• Ronald Bonneau, a former College of Idaho ski instructor whose wife taught in local public schools. 

After the board asked each candidate seven questions, Superintendent Shalene French told trustees that they had to deliberate and select a candidate publicly, which led to an awkward 20 minutes of stalling. 

Trustee Trish Robertson filled the silence by telling candidates that the volunteer job is a “huge time commitment.” As the board’s only retired member, Robertson said, she’s responsible for serving on committees and attending meetings scheduled in the middle of the day. 

This prompted Bonneau to abruptly withdraw his application. Bonneau, who is recently retired, said he needed to talk about the time commitment with his wife. “I know what a full-time job looks like and this is looking full-time,” he said. 

Bonneau’s withdrawal left just Smith and Atkinson. Trustee Manuel Godina finally said Atkinson was his top choice. “You guys are all great people. I’ve just known Don (Atkinson) for a long time,” he said.

Robertson and fellow trustees Marisela Pesina and Travis Manning preferred Smith. 

“All three were phenomenal,” Robertson said. “You guys made it really difficult.” 

When it became clear that Smith had majority support, trustees unanimously voted to appoint her.

Smith’s application had recommendation letters from eight people, including current and former district teachers and students. 

Smith could officially join the board as soon as its next meeting. She will be one of two new trustees come January. That’s when Sam Stone will join the board after running unopposed for Pesina’s seat. Pesina chose not to seek reelection as she unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Caldwell City Council. 

Here’s how the school board will look next year: 

• Trish Robertson – Zone 1 (term expires 2029).
• Manuel Godina – Zone 2 (term expires 2027).
• Travis Manning, chairman – Zone 3 (term expires 2027).
• Erin Smith – Zone 4 (term expires 2027).
• Sam Stone – Zone 5 (term expires 2029).