SCHOOL LEVY LOSSES: Legislature needs to step up

According to the Coeur d’Alene Press editorial article of Sept. 2, it appears that since 2017 the last four school levy requests have fallen short significantly. The Coeur d’Alene Press thinks that many retirees believe they have paid their fair share over many years. The Press speculates on where the problem lies. No more speculation!

Article IX, Section 1, of Idaho’s constitution reads: “LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH SYSTEM OF FREE SCHOOLS. The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of Idaho to establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.” This clearly places the responsibility for the state’s public schools on the shoulders of the legislature NOT the taxpayer.

Actions that drive local school districts into making dramatic increases in the use of local property tax resources raise serious doubt that the legislature is fulfilling its constitutional obligations.

We the taxpayers save up for new roofs on our houses, maintenance on our cars, landscaping needs, the list goes on. After 20-plus years of our school district’s lack of being responsible caretakers of our schools, they continue to ask for new school levies. The buck has finally stopped here!

In the future, if our schools want money, they need to speak to our legislators. It is their responsibility as stated in the Idaho Constitution.

JoANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene