KUDOS: To our legislators

Our state legislators have stepped up to increase state funding for public schools by $378.5 million. Kudos for approving $6,359 for all teachers across the state. We know how underpaid our teachers are who work tirelessly to give our children a proper education. In addition, House Bill 292 provides $100 million for schools to pay down their bonds and levies. All of these have been a longtime coming so congratulations are in order.

Eliminating the March election date that schools use for bonds and levies is an improvement. In Coeur d’Alene School District No. 271, each year property owners are asked to put out more money without being held accountable for where the money is spent. Reports of no academic improvement become quite frustrating for the taxpayer. It is time for transparency.

At a recent school board meeting, a member brought up that the school should be considering looking within to reduce administration overhead. However, it was Superintendent Shon Hocker who disregarded the comment. How do us taxpayers know that our money is not being misappropriated? Without transparency there is no trust.

It is clear that our legislators have done their job. Now is the time for our school district to do theirs. With all the added income listed above, it is once again time to say NO, NO, and heck NO to the upcoming school levy as presented.

JoANN LOKKEN

Coeur d’Alene