SCHOOLS: Levies aren't luxuries

School levies are a hot topic in our community. As adults, we pay taxes, plain and simple. If I must pay taxes, I am happy that part of those dollars go toward supporting schools, our next generation, and our grossly underpaid teachers.

Don’t be surprised if after these local levies pass, you see your tax bill go down. With the influx of new housing in our community, there are more folks to share the tax burden, which will likely reduce the amount of taxes you pay this year.

I am not proud of the fact that Idaho ranks 49th in the nation for school spending. That is really quite sad! Our local school districts are not asking for your support just to be a thorn in your side. They are doing it to just scrape by. All schools in our area, because of growth, are reaching the overcrowded point and if someone says differently, they haven’t visited the schools.

The state of Idaho does not fully fund education, so school districts are left to figure out how to make up for a quarter of their funding and that money isn’t going to just fall from the sky. If you are mad about it, call your local legislators; don’t blame the schools.

Idaho teachers are paid well below the national average. Idaho students are funded at well below the national average. This is not something to be proud of; this should be a crime.

JAMES THEODORE WILLIAMS

Hayden Lake