Levy would be good investment for everyone
Cary Kelly | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 11 months AGO
For many reasons the Sandpoint area is a wonderful place in which to live.
One of those reasons, and a very important one, is that we have very good schools. There is always room for improvement, and I believe we are moving in that direction. The residents of the school district have been very supportive of education as indicated by passing supplemental levies for the past 17 years.
Because of the way public education is funded in Idaho, local property owners do not directly contribute to local schools except by levies or bonds which are approved by the voters. In other words, school districts, unlike cities and counties, do not have taxing authority. Hence, the need for levies which have become essential rather than supplemental to make up the shortfall in state funding.
Even though most people support education and want good schools, I realize that there are those who oppose the current levy. I have heard complaints that the salaries of the superintendent and the CFO are too high, and that the levy increase is too much. First of all, the salaries for our superintendent and CFO are under separate contracts and will be paid regardless of whether the levy is passed or not. Secondly, the majority of the increase goes for wage increases for our teachers in order to attract and keep the very best qualified people The key to an excellent education is that teacher in the classroom, and this levy would make their salaries competitive in northern Idaho (although not Washington). Should the proposed levy pass, we would still be only 45 percent of the statewide school district average levy rate.
Of course, along with spending taxpayers’ money comes accountability. One of the responsibilities of the school board is to ensure that your tax dollars going into public education is a good investment. Being on the board the last couple of years has given me the opportunity to meet principals, teachers, staff and students and observe some of their activities. The students have achieved outstanding results in so many areas that I would not be able to list them all. Also, the dedication, innovation and caring of our teachers and staff are most impressive.
More detailed information on the levy can be found on our website: lposd.org
Lastly, I would encourage you to vote yes for the levy on March 12, 2019!
Cary Kelly is president of the Board of Trustees, Lake Pend Oreille School District.
ARTICLES BY CARY KELLY
VOTE YES
Good public school are essential for the economic health of our community and for the future of our children. One of the first questions people ask about this area before moving here or moving their company here is, “How are the schools?” One reason we have been able to maintain excellent schools is because of the community support for supplemental levies. The vast majority of school districts in Idaho depend on these levies to make up for the shortfall in state funding. While levies have been sup-ported and approved here for the past 18 years, some do not support them because the levies do raise property taxes. The question whether or not we need the current levy was decided last March. Now the issue is can we make that levy permanent (no increase).
Levy would be good investment for everyone
For many reasons the Sandpoint area is a wonderful place in which to live.
Support the future, vote for Scotchmans
As a marine deputy on Lake Pend Oreille for the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years, an avid skier with more than 1,200 days skiing at Schweitzer, and a sailboat owner for eight years, I have spent thousands and thousands of hours enjoying our lakes, rivers, and mountains. The recreational opportunities and the natural beauty of this area are the main reasons my wife and I moved here 25 years ago. While patrolling or sailing the waters of Lake Pend Oreille, I was always in awe of the natural beauty of this place. While many changes have taken place in the past 25 years, one area I would not like to see changed is the Scotchman Peaks area. I’ve come to believe that this area is special and needs wilderness protection in order to pass this natural wonder on to our kids and grandkids.