.png)
Alisa Atkinson
School Board Trustee Zone 1
Hello Buhl! I am Alisa Atkinson.
​
My husband and I both grew up in Idaho, and we were blessed to make Buhl our home 10 years ago. I love this town. It’s a community that takes care of its children, and that’s something I’m passionate about.
​
As a mom of six, I understand how important strong schools and communities are in raising healthy, happy kids. My four youngest attend Buhl schools, and my two oldest are in college.
​
I run a small dog breeding business and am working toward becoming a licensed mental health counselor, focusing on helping kids with OCD. Both paths have taught me how to communicate well—a skill I’ll bring to the role of school trustee.
​
In my spare time, I love working with kids and giving back to our community. I’ve co-founded TRIBE PTO, organized the Color Run and Writing Rally, mentored the elementary robotics team, led the Yes for Buhl levy campaign, and volunteered at events like the Buhl Fun Run and Enchilada Dinner. I also enjoy spending time in our parks and sports fields, cheering on our teams.
​
I’m running because I care deeply about our students, teachers, and the future of our community. I want to bring a strong, positive, parent-focused voice to the board—someone who sees parents as the most important voice in a child’s education and can help our community stay connected with what is happening in our schools. I know what it means to show up, work hard, and help Buhl thrive.
Service
​
How are you currently serving in Buhl? What past or current community activities have shaped your approach to leadership?
​
Service is at the core of leadership. When you spend time with those you represent—listening, laughing, and celebrating wtith them—you begin to understand their needs. I’ve served in many roles supporting Buhl schools and families—organizing events, helping in classrooms, and advocating for funding—always focused on building up our district in positive, lasting ways.​
​
Transparency
​
How do you plan to address the community’s concerns about trust and transparency in local government decisions?
​​​
Our district has made real progress in transparency—sharing meetings, financials, and increasing public input. But school policies and finances are complex. I plan to create tools to help our community understand school finances, email out a monthly newsletter with board meeting summaries, and advocate for the district to publish a user-friendly annual budget report.
Division
How will you work to bridge divides in our community, especially among groups with differing views?
​
Division often comes from people feeling unheard or misrepresented. The best way to bridge divides is to listen well, communicate clearly, and act with integrity. I don’t expect everyone to agree with every decision, but everyone deserves to understand the “why.” I’ll bring calm, honest communication to the board—and help refocus our community on shared goals, not old power struggles.
Public Input
​
What role do you believe public input should play in your decision-making process if elected?
​​
I believe real leadership listens. The best decisions are made with input from a multitude of voices. Public input should shape board decisions, not just be heard and shelved. I’ll create better ways to share ideas, highlight community feedback, and make sure we’re solving real concerns.
​
Buhl Schools - Urgent Need
What is one specific issue facing Buhl Schools that you believe needs immediate attention, and how would you approach it?
​
Currently, our biggest challenge is the lack of a permanent high school principal. Attracting and retaining quality staff is vital but tough amid teacher shortages. I believe active, community-driven networking, developing talent from within, and a transparent hiring process will help fill key roles. I also support meaningful community input in employee evaluations—when staff feel supported and the community feels heard, retention and trust improve.
Meeting Student Needs
How will you ensure the Buhl School District meets the needs of all students, including those from diverse or underserved backgrounds?
​​
I support targeted resources for English Language Learners and early intervention for academic challenges, but one critical and often overlooked need is support for students facing emotional challenges. I’m committed to ensuring all three schools have access to qualified counselors. When students build emotional regulation and resilience, it strengthens learning, improves school climate, and supports long-term success.
​
Funding Priorities
School districts often face tough choices around funding. What priorities would guide your decisions about how to allocate resources in Buhl Schools and how would you address limited funding?
​
Great schools start with great teachers. When funding is tight, I will always prioritize teacher retention and student support. No new technology or fancy facility can replace a good teacher. Through careful budgeting, grant-seeking, community partnerships, and prudent levies, I believe we can reject a scarcity mindset and work toward collaborative funding solutions.