MY TURN: School levy, taxes and choices

The funding of schools is to the betterment of the community. That is why we as homeowners contribute annually.

Gov. Brad Little states that Idaho is the fastest-growing state for tax revenue, and that the extra money coming in is why we keep having surpluses. Some of this surplus could be used to support school funding. He also states that $120 million will be available to reduce school bonds, lessening the cost to taxpayers.

School scores nationally rank Idaho 50th per pupil state education funding, 47th in Academic Performance, 39th in Safety, 48th in SAT Scores, 34th in Quality, 44th in Safety, with an overall ranking of 47th. (Intelligent.com, Wallethub.com) Is it any wonder that Coeur d’Alene School District 271 shows only 50% of students are proficient in math and 62% in writing?

These stats show Idaho could use improvements on many levels. Where do the answers to these problems lie? Certainly NOT with the taxpayers. Yet, District 271 is asking us to pass another school levy when for years there have been no significant improvements in these stats. Obviously, the current system is not working.

Why is Idaho at the bottom of per-pupil state education funding? It is not the responsibility of the taxpayer to “establish and maintain a general, uniform and thorough system of public, free common schools.” It is the responsibility of our legislators. For years our legislators have fallen short of their duty.

Property tax relief bills (77, 78,) introduced recently would lower homeowners taxes. House Bill 58 would require school districts to run bond/levies in May and November instead of March and August. Voting should be held in a non-school environment to avoid conflict of interest.

Idaho schools are not working for everyone. Consider additional school choice options, such as a system that would give parents control over their children’s education and environment that works best for them. Reallocating monies from public schools and putting toward expenses like private school tuition and fees, technology needs and a host of other education expenses would open competition, growth and choice.

People might be more inclined to pass a levy if each year a significant improvement were achieved. We are tired of the status quo. We can do better. Let’s get more transparency, reduce administration costs and incorporate financial accountability.

Change is inevitable … Vote NO on school levy and let's have more school choices for our children.

• • •

JoAnn Lokken is a Coeur d'Alene resident.