KTEC: Here are the actual facts

I am writing in response to an Aug. 13 letter that opposed the proposed KTEC levy. It is too bad the author chose to write a letter without first gathering the facts. Here are the facts.

The amount is $9,500,000 between all three school districts. This in not a bond election, but will be paid for as constructed with no debt or interest incurred. Lakeland purchased 38.9 adjacent to the KTEC property. North Idaho College purchased 40 acres on the other side of the KTEC parcel for the same per acre price. This property abuts Rathdrum and has water and sewer directly across the street. There were no other comparable properties that would accommodate all three landowners and have services at the property line.

The KTEC governing board was created by the three school districts' school boards per Idaho Code. It is made up of the three district superintendents and two business leaders.

In the letter it was said it would cost $3-5 million a year to operate KTEC. I have no idea where this ridiculous number came from. The annual operating costs will be nowhere near that amount.

This is a well thought out, affordable project that will offer programs that would be impossible for any one district to afford. Three school districts, North Idaho College, local businesses and the Meyer family all working together to make this a reality is a clear indication of the high need and great worth of the facility.

TOM TAGGART

Coeur d'Alene