Schools: We need to share the costs

We all agree that growth creates a problem for our schools. Each additional student requires exactly what the other students need, a desk, books, a means to get to school, play and study areas, a clean building, and a teacher. The operation and maintenance of these facilities necessitate money. Realistically more this year than last and potentially a significant amount more in five years.

Public education is the basic ingredient for an informed citizenry in any democracy. It is also the way the children of working people develop the ability to rise to “middle class.” When the discussion is over and the minds have come together, there will be two questions, who will and how do we pay for it?

New development is a contributor and should be obligated to pay a share of the increased costs. Having spent most of my professional career working on large-scale private developments I know that is not an easy pill for developers and builders to swallow. The common objections are increased housing costs, potential job loss due to decline in sales as costs rise and that school funding should be a public sector cost, not private developers. Honestly there is some truth in all of that.

School districts and municipalities have limits on how much they can tax by state statute and by recognizing what the public can afford and will accept. The consequences of being viewed as a taxing enthusiast results in not being re-elected. Again who will and how do we pay?

Into this mix enters all those homeowners who get up each day, get their kids ready for school, drive there, drop them off and then on to work. The afternoon may see a repeat performance with after-school activities added to the mix. Parents struggle to meet their children’s needs knowing that classrooms may be over-crowded. When expenses due to growth exceed the money available to schools, their option is to pass a levy. This is at best an uncertain process and if it fails the school district has the option of cutting services and staff. How do school districts keep up?

We all will need to share in the pain. Education costs money. Who pays and how is that done in the most equitable manner?

Developers need to accept some responsibility and contribute with land dedications or fees. This process needs to be established by state statute. Each school district statewide needs this authority to avoid certain jurisdictions being passed over by developers to avoid paying these fees. Developers need to be willing to dedicate land, make monetary contributions or pay impact fees. The actual fee amounts would be set by the local school district based on estimated costs. These costs will be passed through in the purchase price of the home. It will fall on developers to seek ways to hold down their costs to minimize price increases. Developers and builders may need to seek zone changes and variances to allow for some increase in density. This way the increased costs of construction can be offset with some minor density increase to limit overall sales price increases. Homeowners must recognize this and not just object to every zoning request.

School districts need to ensure such contributions, dedications and fees are directed toward the schools in the area from which revenue is received. Levies should no longer be necessary, thereby allowing for a stabilized budget and proper planning. Periodically the need to create new school buildings will require a means to create the cash needed for any significant major construction proposal. Levies should not be an option but rather the use of revenue bond may be both practical and affordable.

Local jurisdictions will need to collect these fees as part of the building approval and permit process. All new residential building permits would be assessed a fee. Money collected needs to be provided to the appropriate school district. More residential units should allow greater tax revenues and limit the amount of any overall tax increases by municipities.

Finally we the residents, homeowners, parents must accept that growth is coming. Our involvement throughout the year is needed to maintain a balance between growth, stagnation and providing adequate education funding.

Kootenai County is both a beautiful and desirable area to live. New people are coming. Growth generates problems but if each of us developers, school districts, local government and citizens accept our responsibility then our schools can keep up with the needs of our children.

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Phil Ward is a Coeur d’Alene resident.