LEVY: Answer has to be 'no'

I had received a response from a Mabel showing the budget cuts made from the Coeur d'Alene School District. Very good, however just as we in private business are shown, this is not good enough.

It was pointed out to me that the shortfall would reduce the school year by 20 days. The next step would be to reduce wages of all employees of the district, eliminate positions and force mandatory retirement without replacement until the amount needed is achieved for the remaining 20-day cost. The solution is Not to pour more money into it, as it has been proven in several other school districts across the country. The quality of education has fallen and the costs continue to rise.

Tough times call for leaders of the school district to step up and make hard decisions that will not be liked. This is nothing personal, just business.

This is a free country, take your cuts and work within your means or find another job, that simple.

It's time to work harder and rid the district of waste created by employee's who have no incentive to be more efficient.

Until the school district can make these tough decisions and work within a budget, I will promote voting NO on the Coeur d'Alene school levy March 8.

DAVID LONG

Bayview