LEVY: District provides details

| February 21, 2011 9:00 PM

Jacqueline Mayo asked questions in Friday's Press about the Coeur d'Alene School District. We would like to be sure that Ms. Mayo and others are aware of facts that have been made public, including information previously published in the Coeur d'Alene Press.

Ms. Mayo's first question centers around per-pupil spending. The Coeur d'Alene Press published a series of articles in December that included much of this data for Coeur d'Alene and our region. Below is a per pupil expenditure snapshot:

• Coeur d'Alene School District $6,632

• Lakeland School District $6,992

• Post Falls School District $ 6,561

• State average $6,931 (Idaho is the lowest, ranking 50th in per pupil spending in the nation)

• National average $10,259

Ms. Mayo asks whether taxpayers and their children are getting a "good value for our money." We have published much evidence that the Coeur d'Alene School District is doing so.

Ms. Mayo asks whether our graduates have a "poor record of continuing to and finishing college." While we know attending college can be a financial struggle, especially in this economy, our district outperforms the state and the nation. In the last comparative study that has local, state and national statistics from 2008, 59% of our students went to college right out of high school, compared with just 49% in the state and 63% in the nation. 67% of our students attend college within two years of high school graduation. Even more impressive, 82% of our students return for a second year, whereas only 62% return in Idaho and 75% in the nation. Though we are looking into data concerning Ms. Mayo's question about how many students need remedial assistance at NIC, we are happy to see the strength of our students continuing with their college education.

In addition, our ACT (college entrance) exam scores are well above the state and nation, and second in all large districts across the state. Our ISAT state standardized test results place us highest of all the 13 largest districts in the state, and 14th out of 115 districts in the state.

Thank you for asking clarifying questions - we want our voters to be informed as they go to the polls on March 8th. We believe The Coeur d'Alene School District is indeed producing a quality product for a good value.

MATT HANDELMAN

Associate Superintendent, Coeur d'Alene Public Schools