Force district to spend wisely by voting no

In a Feb. 25 letter I wrote that a defeat of the March supplemental levy would force the Lake Pend Oreille School District to find a more cost-effective means of operation.

Here is one example that supports my statement.

Southside School has operated just fine with a gravel parking lot and driveways since its initial construction. Last summer, these were paved. This probably cost $40,000 minimum.

This paving could hardly be considered a maintenance necessity, essential to student education, or cost-effective operation. Nice to have but not necessary!

At the current supplemental levy rate of $68.40 per $100,000 of taxable property assessment, a property with a $400,000 taxable assessment pays $274 annually. At a $40,000 cost the paving took 146 of these properties or $58,400,000 of levy taxable assessments to pay for it.

A new student computer can be obtained for $1,000. LPOSD traded 40 new computers for this unnecessary paving. Probably new textbooks average no more than $40. The paving then cost 1000 new textbooks.

Further, Southside School Road itself is paved for only a quarter mile past the school, about 15 percent of its total length. Of the two dozen or so private roads and driveways connecting to the county road only one is paved.

Anyone see anything wrong with this picture? If not then vote for the levy but if you do vote NO and force LPOSD to find that more cost-effective method of operation. It's your money folks!

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla