SCHOOLS: Choice - and opportunity

As summer runs its course here in beautiful North Idaho, a deadline fast approaches. We as the citizens of Coeur d’Alene, specifically the citizens in School District 271, have a choice. Next Tuesday, those of us who so desire will go to the polls and decide just what our commitment is to education here in the district. On that day we will choose whether or not to fund $32.7 million in improvements to five major school renovations.

These improvements to the health and safety of our students will include improvements to Borah Elementary built in 1950 and Bryan Elementary built in 1928. The funds will be used to eliminate portable classrooms, replace roofs where needed, heating and air conditioning systems; technology upgrades to bring these facilities up to date.

It is important to note that here in Idaho the state doesn’t fund school construction of major renovations. It is entirely up to Idaho citizens to determine the conditions of their children’s learning environment.

However, with the KTEC and Lake City High School bonds expiring this year, we as taxpayers in the district will pay no additional tax over our current tax bill with the passage of this ballot measure. Making these improvements now means we not only have the opportunity to lock in an historically low interest rate of less than 3 percent, but we also can take advantage of lower construction costs during this economically challenging time.

Our Coeur d’Alene district operates with the lowest tax rate of any of the 13 largest school districts in the state of Idaho including the neighboring districts of Post Falls and Lakeland. The tax impact of a home owner with an assessed value of $200,000 will pay an additional $49 annually and we believe now is the time to do it.

As Kootenai Perspectives has supported education initiatives in the past, such as KTEC set to open this fall, we call on the voters of District 271 to support and invest in our children’s and our own futures in supporting these much needed improvements. We urge you to see for yourself the district website www.cdaschools.org. This site gives the public the opportunity to see for themselves the needs and what these funds will do to impact the education experience of an untold amount of children in Coeur d’Alene.

KATHY L. STULTS

Coeur d’Alene