It's time to invest in what we cherish

The quality of life here is second to none. There are jobs available for nearly anyone who wants to work. We still have a unique sense of community that is lacking in most places.

So why is it we have pushed education so far down our list of priorities?

Voters in the Lake Pend Oreille School District will have an opportunity on March 20 to approve a two-year levy totaling $8.9 million. The good news is … this is a replacement levy and won't cost anyone much more than they are paying right now.

The replacement component of this maintenance and operations levy is especially appealing to us. That's one of many reasons the Daily Bee is endorsing the March 20 levy.

Right now, this school district ranks the ninth lowest in the state for property tax rates that support public schools.

The statewide average is $310 per $100,000 taxable value. The Lake Pend Oreille School District is $68.50. Some might think this is a tremendous savings, and it is … unless you are talking about our future and the message and assistance we are giving our children.

In reality, this replacement levy is a Band-Aid approach to a school system that probably needs a tourniquet and major surgery.

We have world class educators teaching in what could almost be called third-world conditions.

Are we exaggerating? Go to the schools.

This is an interesting vote on March 20. The school district is running better than it ever has and our students are making gains.

Those who will vote yes later this month are basically saying they think the district is headed in the right direction and our grateful the district leaders chose to run a replacement levy instead of asking us for more money.

Those who will vote no on March 20 aren't doing it because it will cost them any more money. Again, it replaces money that you and I are already spending.

Now, those who will vote no have every right to do so. And they may have a good reason for essentially taking $4.4 million out of the budget. We just don't know what it is.

The educational climate is changing here. We are on the verge of providing a world class education for students of all ages. Most of the ingredients are in place.

It's high time this county invest in what we cherish. We owe it to our children to look at all the facts concerning this replacement, supplemental levy and cast an informed vote.

It's one thing to live in a world class environment. It's quite another to do the right things to guarantee our students receive a world class education.

Voting to replace a levy is the very least we can do for our future leaders.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.