SCHOOL LEVY: Let's not return to condemned schools

Our community has provided reliable — and greatly appreciated — financial support to the Coeur d'Alene School District for many years. I remember what it was like when our school levies and bonds were regularly defeated. As an elementary school student, I recall seeing buckets catching drips from the ceiling throughout the hallways and classrooms every time it rained. And it wasn't just my school: an editorial cartoon from the time showed students in Coeur d'Alene using buckets for drums, basketball hoops, science beakers, and more because they were so ubiquitous throughout the district.

Looking back, the last straw was when much of the Winton elementary building was condemned. I was one of the students turned away at the front door of the school on the morning school staff discovered that the ceilings were about to collapse. My class finished the school year in the gymnasium.

After that, our community stepped up to finance new buildings and maintenance of the ones we had. Maintaining facilities is important. If we don't take care of what we have now, we could end up in the same rough shape we were in the '80s. The money that comes into our schools from the State of Idaho does not cover all of the expenses. Local voters have made up the difference for many years, and I am counting on them to do it again Tuesday.

Please Vote YES to keep our schools safe and well-maintained!

JIM WINDISCH

Coeur d'Alene