Yes x 2 for Lakeland

State funding has declined more than $4 million annually since 2008.

One-time federal funding came - and went.

But patrons in Lakeland School District always step up for their children and their grandchildren, and we strongly encourage them to do so again on March 13. That's when two critically needed levies go before Lakeland voters.

The first thing to know is that even with passage of the two levies - a two-year supplemental levy and a 10-year plant facility levy - the total amount of property tax levied by Lakeland will decrease next year.

The next thing to know is that the levies are both replacement levies. The supplemental levy must be renewed every two years, and the plant facility levy every 10 years.

Further, district patrons should know the money will not be used for pay raises, new positions or new programs. It will be used to maintain the status quo - which for Lakeland is exceedingly high quality.

Here's how Tom Taggart, the district's finance director and longtime Lakeland patron himself, put it during a recent meeting with The Press editorial board:

"We're a district that does this -" Taggart held his hands about six inches apart - "and not this," he said with his hands about 8 inches apart. "What we do, we do very well."

The point of both levies, he said, is "to keep what we've got. We're asking voters to fill in the gap."

The supplemental levy request is for $4.95 million a year for two years. It needs one more vote than 50 percent to pass. Money generated from the supplemental levy supports maintenance and operations.

The plant facility levy is for $905,000 a year for 10 years. Lakeland patrons have overwhelmingly supported the plant facility levy for at least the last 40 years; 10 years ago the measure received 90 percent voter approval. Money from this levy pays for school buses, equipment, furniture and other capital needs. It requires 55 percent voter approval.

Because state funding has declined so much, Lakeland patrons have two choices. They can increase their share of the tax burden a little more and keep one of the state's best-performing school districts strong, or they can force the district into draconian cuts to personnel, programs and capital upkeep. We appreciate the fact that the district uses no scare tactics in its presentations. They know they have a great product to sell to a public that fully realizes and appreciates the role its school district plays in virtually every level of the overall Lakeland community, from household enlightenment to economic development.

With 4,300 students, Lakeland has smaller enrollment than neighboring Post Falls School District. Yet Lakeland has more elementary schools and two high schools compared to one for Post Falls.

"We like small schools where the principals know all the kids," said Taggart, who was a Lakeland school board member from 1982 to 1988. He's been finance director since 2001.

Because election laws and precincts have changed, we urge voters to call Kootenai County's elections office at 446-1030 or go to its website to ensure they know where to vote March 13. The site is: kcgov.us/elections/search

Lakeland has for many years been an outstanding steward not just of taxpayers' money, but of their trust. That's well worth the ongoing investment.