Community weighs in on levy solutions

COEUR d'ALENE — A resident who has lived in Coeur d'Alene for 50 years was one of nearly 20 to speak Tuesday during a special meeting of the Coeur d'Alene School District board of trustees.

"All six of my kids went to Coeur d'Alene District 271, and they turned out fabulous because of their schools," Nyleen Livingston said. "They were all able to get into colleges that they preferred and five out of six graduated. We have to support this school district, and it takes money. We've got to pass that levy."

The board held a special listening session to hear possible solutions from community members as it prepares to declare a financial emergency, per Idaho Code, in light of the March 14 supplemental levy failure.

"We know that there's a lot of topics of interest right now for the district," board Chair Rebecca Smith said. "Tonight's meeting is to just consider solutions for our financial situation."

Livingston said it's important to encourage people who are in favor of the levy to get out to vote.

"There's plenty of trouble, issues that can distract us away from the issue, which is to pass the levy," Livingston said. "There's this issue, that issue, oh, about whatever, but we got to keep our eye on the goal and not get yourselves diverted and upset and all excited, but maybe encourage your friends and relatives, get some more signs out if you can."

Greta Gissel of Coeur d'Alene offered a simple solution.

"The best way to address budget shortfalls is for our community to pass the levy," she said. "The items on the levy are inherently important to the education of all of our kids."

The fairly well attended meeting lasted less than an hour as public comment was given and speakers offered their opinions and solutions.

John Rubert suggested the district sell its central office building.

"I've always passed levies," Rubert said, adding that about eight years ago, the district ran advertisements showing a child and informing voters the levy would cost $.80 per $1,000.

"Now we're looking at a heck of a lot more than that," he said.

He said none of the suggestions provided by the district regarding what will be cut if the May 16 levy fails include selling the district administration building.

"Over half the school district aren't even teachers," Rubert said. "My wife's a retired teacher. I believe in paying teachers well. They're not paid well. But there's a way to balance the budget. You've got to cut the staff. There's way too much support staff. Sell that expensive building."

One speaker stood up for Borah Elementary School not to close if the next levy fails. Another speaker strongly suggested Superintendent Shon Hocker give up his wage.

Jeanette Laster, executive director of the Human Rights Education Institute, recommended the district hold budget workshops and conduct more community outreach to help people better understand the restrictions that go along with school and state funding.

"I think there's an opportunity here to really open up and be even more transparent than you have been about where that spending is," Laster said, "and really dig into smaller focus groups on certain budget areas and explain really the details of that spending and how the restrictions work."

Smith said the board will review input given during the meeting and via email "to continue to seek to do our best to move forward."

The district will run a levy election May 16 for a $25 million-per-year, two-year supplemental levy to replace the one that expires in June.

The school board will hold another special meeting at noon Friday at Midtown Meeting Center.