Would oversee levy if approved

SANDPOINT — Hopeful that a May 20 plant facilities levy will pass, Lake Pend Oreille School District officials are putting plans in place for citizen’s committee to oversee the project.

“Real or unreal, there are some feelings of trust or lack of trust,” said Supt. Dick Cvitanich.

LPOSD trustees discussed the issue during the board’s regular meeting held Tuesday at Clark Fork High School.

The committee would create public dialogue about various projects, priorities and change orders within the $14.1 million levy’s scope, Cvitanich said.

It is an “open process so people can talk about it,” he said.

The committee likely would include a principal representing Kootenai and Sagle schools, facilities director Sid Rayfield, perhaps several members from the facilities advisory committee and four or five community members, preferably with construction background, he said.

Board chairman Vickie Pfeifer said agrees that the committee is a necessary part of project.

“That should be one of the first items on our agenda once the levy passes,” she said.

Those citizens selected for the committee should be people with experience and who are competent with such a project, said board member Joan Fish.

It is important to “cherry pick” citizens who understand the process and will bring accountability to the board, she added.