Cd'A chamber supports levies

COEUR d'ALENE - The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce announced its support Wednesday of a pair of levies the Coeur d'Alene School District will float before voters on March 8.

The election ballot will offer two supplemental maintenance and operations levies - Option 1, a $7.8 million levy to replace one that is expiring at the end of June, and Option 2, an additional $5 million levy to cover expected shortfalls in the school budget next year.

"We encourage business owners/managers, individuals and families to seek out information and learn of the critical need to support education in our community. We ask that they actively participate in the election process by casting a favorable vote for both options 1 and 2," read a position statement sent to The Press by chamber president Todd Christensen. "Further, we applaud the district's cost reduction steps already taken to reduce expenses by $8.8 million over the last two years."

The statement acknowledged the chamber's longtime support of education, and noted the connection between educational opportunities for youth and the health of the community and its businesses.

"We further recognize that sufficient funding is critical to maintain the quality of the education provided by District 271 particularly in these difficult times," the statement said.