Support Post Falls school requests

One of the region’s hottest spots for growth has also been one of the places where the best planning for public schools has occurred.

Thank you, Post Falls School District.

The county’s second largest school district has a long tradition of asking voters to support not everything that’s wanted but what’s clearly needed, which includes investments that will save money or reap other dividends somewhere down the road. That approach has built trust between citizens and decision makers, and that longstanding trust is something to build upon.

That’s why The Press strongly endorses the district’s two-part funding request on March 12. Wisely, the district has set aside land for the growth it saw coming years ago. One of its requests is for a $19 million bond: $12.5 million to build a new elementary school in the Foxtail subdivision and $6.5 million to update and upgrade existing schools to keep them in good condition. Money is also included to buy property for future needs, which inevitably will come.

The other part of the funding request is a supplemental levy seeking $4.955 million a year for two years. “Supplemental” is actually a misnomer. Most of the state’s school districts depend upon these levies simply to keep existing levels of maintenance and operations going forward. To defeat a levy would be tantamount to cutting jobs and programs, threatening the quality of education Post Falls School District routinely delivers.

How will these impact taxpayers? Approval of the bond would not increase the district’s tax rate of $2.08 per $1,000 in property value, which already is the lowest tax rate in North Idaho. The bond faces a stiff test, however, needing 66.67 percent approval for passage.

Patrons of District 273 have long enjoyed steady leadership from administration, which starts with Superintendent Jerry Keane. A former District 273 teacher, Keane has now served 18 years in the top job. Where many districts turn over superintendents every few years, Post Falls has managed to keep one of the very best at the helm, and that consistency has been a stabilizing force throughout the 6,100-student district.

The Press commends Superintendent Keane, his leadership team, the Post Falls school board, and the district’s long-range planning committee for its superb fiscal management. Patrons can keep a good school district going strong without seeing an increase in their annual property tax bill. That deserves your confident “yes” vote.