LEVY: Overhaul system first

It's obvious we're not getting bang for our tax buck with local education. After years of supplemental school levies, we're now faced with the biggest one ever ($26 million!) and we're now being told this is no longer "supplemental," but REQUIRED to continue with basic school needs.

The levy is strongly supported by the same people who will gain the most from the $26 million. The majority of our education budget is spent on school personnel salaries and benefits. The majority of our state budget is spent on education.

This would be less objectionable if there weren't such serious problems with our schools, and kids graduating who are not prepared for life. We need to overhaul our education system, and then decide what the true financial needs are.

KEN MAYO

Coeur d'Alene