SCHOOLS: Invest in your future

They say that “life begins at 40.” However, as I approach that milestone birthday, I’m thinking more about raising our children, maintaining our home and afterward taking care of my physical health and well-being. Although it may be some of the most enjoyable years, 40 years of use causes eventual wear.

In the same way, many of the schools that our students attend in the Coeur d’Alene School District are more than 40 years old and are showing their wear as well. Although well maintained, the decades of dedicated use as a place of learning have caused inequities for students. It’s not that voters are looking at a request for lavish facilities. With your “yes” vote, learners at Borah, Bryan, Sorensen, Winton and Canfield can finally have facilities with adequate classrooms, ample restrooms, dedicated cafeterias, gymnasiums and computer labs…all with no tax increase thanks to LCHS Bond and KTEC Levy expiring this year.

The Coeur d’Alene School District does a great deal with little financial support from the state. Remember, no monies are directly provided to a school district for the construction or renovation of school buildings. However, when you drive by certain schools, do you see buildings and landscapes in disrepair? In my perspective, we’re lucky that our district has prioritized upkeep so that buildings can be to their fullest potential. However, I know that even the best windows, furnaces and heating/ventilation systems eventually fail. We have a unique opportunity to complete multiple projects across the school district, providing jobs to our community and borrowing money at a time of extremely low interest rates.

It’s not the time to wait for the next generation to provide adequate educational facilities. With your support, these buildings can be renovated in preparation for the next 40 years; to welcome our children and maintain the quality of achievement that our community expects and depends on.

DEBORA CAIRES NELSON

Coeur d’Alene