LEVY: Rewarding local excellence

As a life-long resident of Kootenai County, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact the schools in the Coeur d'Alene School district have had on our local community. I have seen elementary students participating in human rights celebrations and entertaining the crowds at the Festival of Trees. Middle school students have worked diligently to honor our veterans at events like the Pearl Harbor Celebration at Lakes magnet Middle School and to collect thousands of pounds of food for the food banks in the area. High school students have energized crowds at the "Fight for the Fish" basketball game and have generously given numerous pints of blood to support our local blood bank.

Our students have represented our community through music and other extracurricular activities, making an incredibly positive impact on our citizens. Coeur d'Alene teachers have received many local, state, and national awards, as is represented by five State of Idaho Teacher of the Year recipients in the last ten years.

At the same time, Coeur d'Alene has been voted as a top destination to live, raise a family, retire, recreate, and vacation. These types of accolades do not happen in communities with failing schools. Now more than ever, we must continue to support our strong schools if we want to maintain the best possible economic base in Kootenai County.

Times are tough, but we can't afford to not fund the educational system at the levels that have brought about these wonderful advancements over the years and kept our economy healthy. I urge you to join me in supporting both the Maintenance and Operations Levy and the Essential Levy on March 8th. By voting yes, we will continue to have a strong community supported by strong schools.

HEATHER MONTEE

Coeur d'Alene