LEVY: Three critical factors

In analyzing the upcoming levy proposal, three overriding factors come to mind. Student Performance, Payback to the System, and Economic Impact.

1. Of utmost importance is the Student Performance factor. Our school district has the highest ISAT scores of all of the large districts in the state of Idaho. Despite the low levy tax rates and incredible budget cutbacks, the focus has successfully remained where it belongs on student performance.

2. Payback is simply the debt that we all owe for the education that the vast majority of us received in the public school system, whether here or some other far off district.

3. The Economic Impact factor has to do with the perception that the regional business community has of our school system. Investing in our community by business often relies on a healthy school system to insure that their employees can find a good education for their families. The further importance of that is simple. Every dollar that comes into our community is spent several times over. Everyone benefits from this. Even those who might not support the levy will find these dollars making there way into their pockets. The upcoming levy is a small investment with a huge payback to all in our district. Strong Schools = Strong Community.

JERRY ANDERSON

Coeur d'Alene