LEVY: Support programs, teachers

| January 28, 2011 4:56 AM

Please support SD 271 M & O levy. The Coeur d'Alene School District is currently operating on $5 million of one-time stimulus monies and has already cut their budget $7.4 million since 2009. How much more can we ask them to cut?

The answer could be that we ask them to eliminate sports programs, after school programs and other extracurricular activities. How about we get rid of all music and art programs? Why don't we ask them to increase class sizes, take away all aides and go to a four-day school week? While we are at it, who needs crossing guards to make sure our kids cross the street safely?

If this community does not support this levy this is what we will be asking for. With three children in SD 271 I see firsthand every day what an excellent job our teachers do with their already limited resources. It is unfathomable for me to imagine how we can ask them to do their job with deeper budget cuts. Please join me in voting to support the full $12.8 million Coeur d'Alene School District levy on March 8.

MARCELLO CONIGLIARO

Coeur d'Alene