Lakeland School Board grapples with $9.52M levy failure, no plans for recount

RATHDRUM — Many Lakeland Joint School District families and staff members are disappointed, frustrated and angry the supplemental levy so narrowly failed at the polls Tuesday.

“We’re just really concerned about where our kids’ education will go and the support the teachers will have to ensure the kids can do their best,” said Erin Bullock of Rathdrum, who has two kids in the district and one in preschool. “Education without stress of big classes, lack of resources, that’s where our concern is.”

A special Thursday evening meeting of the Lakeland School Board lasted 35 minutes. It was punctuated by long stretches of complete silence that didn't offer much reassurance.

"This was a joke," Erin's husband, Seth Bullock, said. "Slap a Band-Aid on the fact that people are extremely angry. I've talked to people who say, 'We don't know where the money is going.' They don't put out hardly anything to general people to say, 'This is where the money is going, this is how this process works,' nothing."

More than 100 Lakeland families and staff members filled the Lakeland High School commons to hear from trustees. Public comment was not taken as the board held its first discussion following the rejection of the two-year, $9.52 million-per-year supplemental levy that would have replaced the current levy. The difference between the nays and yays was 244 votes, according to the Kootenai County Elections results.

Board Chair Michelle Thompson said trustees have received emails from people asking to re-run the levy while others have asked that it not be re-ran.

"I don't know on what ground we could stand for asking to run the levy again when 10,485 taxpayers have said, 'No,'" Thompson said, adding that a recount could be considered at the cost of $100 per precinct.

"There is a lot of fear and concern for what's going to happen within our district," she said. "I personally believe that we have the ability to come together and manage this."

Vice Chair Ramona Grissom said she didn't think a recount would help. Trustee Randi Bain said it's hard to spend more money on a recount when a measure asking for money didn't pass. She said she has more faith in the elections office than to ask for a recount.

"I don't think it's going to get us anywhere," she said.

Bain said she is not in favor of re-running the levy for the same amount.

"I know that we can come together as a community and come up with a solution," she said. "It's going to take a lot of work from a lot of people, but I do believe we can make this work."

"I think that we're just where we're at," Grissom said. "I know people don't want to hear that, but this is actually the third time our constituents have denied the district funds."

She said she is not for closing schools or getting rid of teachers.

"I don't know that anybody up here is for that," she said.

The room was silent, and many attendees pensively sat with crossed arms as she passed the microphone to Trustee Bob Jones, who said he is also not in favor of closing schools or cutting teachers. He said more information is needed before decisions are made.

Jones said about 86% of the district's budget goes to wages and benefits.

"It's pretty hard to cut almost 25% of the general fund budget without cutting into wages and benefits," he said. "I only put that out there so you have a full understanding of how intense this problem is."

Trustee David Quimby said he knows many are concerned about impacts to athletics.

"I will not try to cut athletics, ever," he said. "They're too important to this district. This district runs on athletics, I don't care what anybody says. They're so important, and we have to support them. I don't care if we have to go to pay to play, but we will never get rid of sports in this district, ever. As long as I'm on this board, I'll fight. That's the reason I'm here, to fight for kids and I'll keep fighting for kids."

He proposed a few ideas such as getting rid of Chromebooks or saving money on computer program subscriptions that people just throw away. 

He said teachers could write their own curriculum.

"I don't want teachers to have to work more, but if you had a group of teachers, I'm sure we could write second grade math, third grade math all the way to sixth grade math," he said. "I think I could do it and I'm not very bright."

Thompson encouraged those who wish to share similar thoughts with the district to select a spokesperson to speak on their behalf. She also encouraged everyone to send their ideas to the board for consideration.

Although no official votes were cast, the board agreed to have more frequent meetings to discuss next steps. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeland High School, 7006 W. Highway 53, Rathdrum. Public comment will be permitted.

Public comments can be sent to clerk@lakeland272.org.

Info: sd272.org/school-board

    Lakeland School Board Chair Michelle Thompson speaks into the mic Thursday night during a special meeting at Lakeland High School to address the failure of the district's supplemental levy. From left: Trustees Bob Jones and David Quimby, Thompson and Trustee Randi Bain.