Time to step up for your schools

The State of Idaho long ago placed the added burden of funding school budgets upon communities via supplemental levies. In part this acknowledges the right of our communities to decide our own fate of our schools and funding, as opposed to being dictated by state legislatures, like other neighboring states.

These levies fund critical elements like transportation, school nurses, counselors, school resource officers and other vital programs not covered by the state. Thus, we have an obligation to deliver to our community the funding to support our children and teachers.

Our children have suffered greatly with COVID restrictions this year, keeping them out of the classrooms for a good part of the school year. Many never really connected with the online effort, and are nearly a year behind at this point. Are we really going to consider pulling this critical funding from them now?

Last week, the Seattle teachers union voted not to return to in-person classrooms, continuing to keep their children home for most of the school year. At the same time, our teachers have been on the front line for a good part of the year as COVID allowed. Many were infected with COVID and then returned to “Do their job!” Are we really going to consider pulling this critical funding from them now?

Our new neighbors from California and other neighboring states came to North Idaho because of the high quality of life we enjoy. They recognized and pursued our environment, our friendly neighborhoods and neighbors, and our quality education delivery system. This cannot be achieved without proper funding.

Also, please consider how many new families with children have come to our schools this year, seeking a change from the closures they experienced in their former cities. Their added presence is welcome, and they deserve and expect the schools to operate as we have for decades by supporting our much-needed supplemental levies.

Recently, special interest groups who pose as the “conservative voice” have urged a NO vote on the levies. Don’t be deceived that true Idaho conservatives support their argument.

I am a proud Idaho conservative and I am VERY proud of our schools and their leadership in delivering a quality education in these very challenging times. Sure, there are areas to improve upon, but we all have those challenges in our own endeavors, especially in the COVID era.

We owe it to our children, teachers and community to pass the supplemental levies this week.

Please deliver a loud and clear YES vote Tuesday for our three local school districts.

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John Barlow is a Coeur d'Alene resident.