Voters reject LPOSD levy proposal

Mary Malone Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 4 months AGO

Jacinda Bokowy, center, and Stephanie Aitken, right, waved at traffic and pedestrians in downtown Sandpoint Tuesday with their “Vote Yes” signs as the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s proposed levy went to voters. Michael Waldrup, left, saw the ladies from his law office across the street and decided to join in with enthusiasm. —Photo by MARY MALONE

— Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Community Hall was one polling place where Bonner County residents could vote for or against the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s $55.1 million plant facilities levy Tuesday.

 Photo by MARY MALONE Sandpoint Community Hall was one polling place where Bonner County residents could vote for or against the Lake Pend Oreille School Districts $55.1 million plant facilities levy Tuesday.

SANDPOINT — Voters strongly voted against the Lake Pend Oreille School District's proposed $55.1 million plant facilities levy Tuesday with the last of the ballots posted at 12:23 a.m.

With just over 50 percent of the county’s 16,729 registered voters heading to the polls, the levy garnered 2,953 yes votes — or 34.95 percent — and 5,493 no votes — or 65.02 percent.

The levy was proposed by the school board due to the "unsatisfactory" and "poor" condition ratings of seven of the 11 schools in the district.

The schools built in the 1950s, including Sandpoint Middle School, Washington Elementary School and Northside Elementary School, are outdated and causing problems for students, staff and maintenance workers. As outlined on the levy website, www.voteourschools.org, the levy proposed to rebuild those three schools as well as district-wide upgrades.

One of the negative impacts on student learning stems from the air quality in the old buildings. The ventilation systems do not provide enough fresh air, and while it is not dangerous to student health, it is not conducive to a proper educational environment. Another issue with the heating and plumbing in the old buildings is under concrete floors with no crawl space access.

The levy also proposed to add a career technical shop at Clark Fork Junior Senior High School, add four classrooms to Sandpoint High School and construct new track and athletic fields between the new middle school and the high school.

Some of the district-wide improvements proposed include security upgrades, such as intercoms, alarm systems and secure exterior doors.

The levy, spread out over six years, would cost taxpayers an estimated $200 per year with a home valued at $200,000. Taxpayers are currently paying on a two-year LPOSD supplemental levy, which residents with a home valued at $200,000 pay an estimated $184 per year.

A plant facilities levy differs from a supplemental levy because a plant facilities levy can only be used for construction, whereas LPOSD's supplemental levy covers approximately one-third of the funding for operation costs.

In Idaho, the only way for a school district to generate funds for construction projects is through levies and bonds.