SCHOOL: Taxpayers betrayed

One year ago, voters put their trust in the Coeur d’Alene School District that the district would uphold the promises made in a $35.5 million levy/bond by overwhelmingly passing the measure.

Monday, the Coeur d’Alene School District disregarded those promises.

The bond language clearly stated funds would cover “a new elementary school, to include the acquisition of land and construction in the NW section of the district.” By choosing to build on the current site of NExA, the district displayed a grievous lack of integrity.

The work of those at NExA has been admirable, but the current site simply does not meet the requirements of the bond, and will not alleviate the overcrowding faced at the schools in the NW section. Skyway and Atlas currently have more than 600 students. Ramsey is more than 700. Families moving into these areas are not able to attend their zoned schools, but must be bused elsewhere. Growth in these areas is not slowing down. The district made comments on social media that they would continue to look at building in the NW area in the next few years. This is unacceptable. The need is now.

I fear that the district is assuming boundary lines will be changed to allow the purchase of land not currently in our district or that a miracle land deal will fall into place. To make that gamble with taxpayer money is reprehensible.

Disappointment doesn’t begin to describe how I feel about the betrayal by the Coeur d’Alene School District.

CHRISTENA LINFORD

Coeur d’Alene