CDA SCHOOL LEVIES: Vote yes

As our community considers the upcoming levy vote for the Coeur d’Alene School District, one question I have heard many times is “Why doesn’t the school district restrict its budget to state provided funds?”

As a local board we make a yearly budget that is unique to our school district. For decades that budget has included levy funds approved by local voters for programs that our community wants but that the state doesn’t fund. These include things such as school resource and campus security officers, nurses in schools, KTEC and other career training, art and PE teachers in each of our elementary schools, wood shops and other electives in our middle schools, drama and music programs in our high schools, sports and other extracurricular activities and much more!

Additionally, our efforts to recruit and retain teachers is especially challenging due to our proximity to Washington and levy funds help address this problem.

The state government could help by increasing funding for all schools, but for decades our community has chosen to act rather than wait for solutions from Boise. One of the great things about living in Idaho is the opportunity to make local decisions for local needs!

The ballot also includes a plant and facilities levy that will provide dedicated funds to maintain the buildings built for our students. Our community has invested significant amounts of money to build schools and we have a responsibility to keep those buildings safe and in good condition for future use.

Vote yes on both levy questions this March 14!

HEATHER TENBRINK

Coeur d’Alene School District Trustee