KTEC: The opportunity of a lifetime
On Aug. 24 we citizens have a chance to make a difference in the lives of young people in Kootenai County for generations to come.
I am referring to voting for the approval of Kootenai Technical Education Campus. For years the community has been stating the need for an educational facility like KTEC, where students could attend their high school academic classes, while at the same time acquire skills to prepare them for a productive life.
KTEC goes a step further in increasing the students' chance of success. North Idaho College will eventually have a campus next to the school where college courses will be offered. If the student has been turned on to additional education they could matriculate to a university.
Extensive studies have indicated that the high school dropout rates can be traced to students losing interest, but when many of those students have a chance to learn something that they feel has practical application, they stay involved and graduate.
This project has not been approached lightly. Members of our community have spent thousands of hours of study time and investigation into the need and feasibility of KTEC. Members of the study committee traveled to visit schools with similar missions in Idaho and neighboring states, at their own expense.
This project is unique in how it has come together. The land for KTEC was donated by the family of Wayne Meyer. Additional property has been purchased for school purpose by a group of public-minded business people. The three school districts, Post Falls, Lakeland and Coeur d'Alene, have come together in unanimous support of KTEC. This is a great example of when the business community, private sector and education come together for a noble cause. Great things can happen.
When I was county commissioner we witnessed far too often, in the juvenile courts and detention center, the consequences of young people not completing school and not having an employable skill. Without education and employable skills they end up losing hope and in a downward spiral that can lead to dire long-lasting consequences. Some say this project should be delayed; try telling that to some kid whose whole life could be changed forever by the opportunities provided by KTEC.
There are great opportunities out there for our youth now and in the future. Our job as citizens is to be forward thinking and take advantage of this once in a generation opportunity. The cost is peanuts compared to the long range value to the community and to the future of our youth. It doesn't take a lot of courage to be against something; it does take imagination and a vision of the future to move forward.
The voting will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 24, in the three school districts. Please vote "yes" for KTEC.
Dick Compton is a retired Idaho state senator and Kootenai County commissioner.