LEVIES: Support our schools

There is little disagreement that good public schools are foundational to the health of any community. Without good schools a community won’t produce the sort of educated and able young people necessary to sustain itself, nor is it an attractive place to recruit needed professionals. Yet according to the U.S. Census Bureau for 2021, Idaho ranks 49th in the nation in terms of state funding of elementary and secondary education on a per student basis. In fact Idaho is less than 1/2 the rate of funding for any of the top 12 states.

Is it any wonder that local levies are required to keep our schools viable? For example the Coeur d’Alene School District counts on the local levy for 25% of its operating budget. And since I’ve had an opportunity to look closely at the governance process for Coeur d’Alene School District, I can assure you they’ve been transparent and good stewards of their resources. Our tax dollars are being managed responsibly.

So if you want to continue to have a strong, vibrant and economically sustainable community, I implore all our residents to get out and vote in support of the local levy on March 9. The future of our community depends on it.

BILL ELLIOTT

Coeur d’Alene