Unfortunately, the Idaho Legislature does not adequately support education. What our Legislature budgets for K-12 education per student ranks 49 or 50th in the nation among our fellow states. LPOSD and virtually every other district in the state of Idaho are dependent on additional funds from the community to maintain a quality program. Without these community levy funds, the district would be a shell of what is now and the losers would be the most vulnerable with the smallest voices, the kids.

The reality is if the levy does not pass rural schools will close. LPOSD is a rural district and supports rural schools. The trustees, former trustees, and administration of LPOSD have always supported rural schools. The district currently has five schools with enrollments of less than 200 students. These schools each have their own physical plant to maintain, administration, security, utilities, technology, and food service in addition to instruction. They are significantly more expensive to operate than larger schools in the district with larger enrollments.

Clark Fork Junior/ Senior High School, Southside Elementary, Northside Elementary, Hope Elementary, and Lake Pend Oreille High School all have low enrollments and could not be sustained with state funds alone. They would be targets for closure and consolidation into larger schools if the levy fails. The district does not want to bus kids from outlying areas for an hour or more to schools in town but if this levy does not pass the trustees will have no other choice.

Support Bonner County kids and rural Bonner County schools and vote yes for the levy on March 14.

GARY SUPPIGER

Cocolalla