Cd'A trustees start levy discussions tonight

Levy and bond information and facilities planning are on the

agenda of a special board meeting being held today by school

trustees in Coeur d'Alene.

School board workshop starts at 5 p.m., Midtown Center, 1505 N. Fifth Street

Levy and bond information and facilities planning are on the agenda of a special board meeting being held today by school trustees in Coeur d'Alene.

The meeting includes a board workshop on School Plant Facilities Levies and bonds which are revenue sources available to school districts in Idaho seeking to finance school building projects. Both are funded with property taxes and must be voter-approved.

Laura Rumpler, the district's information officer, told The Press the main focus of the meeting will be to have an open dialogue and educational discussion about the options available regarding any future school facilities levy or bond. Trustees will not be setting a dollar amount or taking any action on building project financing at tonight's meeting.

Voters in the Coeur d'Alene school district have not approved a building finance tax measure since 2002. That year's $23 million School Plant Facilities levy funded the renovation of Project CDA, construction of Atlas Elementary, expansion of Ramsey Elementary and renovations at Lakes Magnet Middle School.

A $40 million facilities levy that included funding to replace Lakes Middle School was rejected by voters in 2006. In 2008, voters again rejected a $31 million facilities levy to build a new school.

The renovation of Lakes Middle School was completed in 2009.

The district has had supplemental maintenance and operations levies approved by voters consistently for about 20 years. Those funds cannot be used on building projects.

Passage of a bond or levy to pay for school building construction is already receiving support from some parents and community members.

A group called "Concerned Parents of Bryan Elementary" has started an online petition asking the trustees to consider asking voters to approve financing to improve school facilities as recommended in the school district's 10-year plan.

The 10-year facilities plan can be viewed here.

The petition had 74 signatures by this afternoon.

The petition, named "Please Support Safety and Security in our #271 Schools," can be viewed here.

Maureen Dolan is the Online News Editor for the Coeur d'Alene Press. She can be reached at (208)664-8176 ext. 2005 or [email protected]