Chamber backs LPOSD levy
SANDPOINT - The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce and its board of directors are asking for the community's support of the upcoming school district facilities levy on May 20.
Chamber officials said their support is an outgrowth of the group's mission to promote, develop and support the business community of the greater Sandpoint area.
“We support the levy because we support businesses,” said Colleen Spickelmire, chamber board president. “We need to do our best to support the levy, or we aren't going to accomplish our mission.”
A recurring question asked by prospective businesses and professionals looking to the area to relocate is often about the strength of the school system, officials said.
“We can respond that we have an amazing teaching staff, but when they see the condition of our school facilities, in many cases, they look elsewhere,” said Amy Little, chamber executive director.
Little said that the perception that people looking to move into our community have is that we don't support public education. Schools are the foundation for providing a qualified workforce and thus a healthy economy.
“Voters need to know that a yes vote for the levy not only supports businesses who need qualified employees today but also well-educated employees for the future,” said Little.
The Lake Pend Oreille School District badly needs this levy to make critical improvements to schools for health and safety reasons. No major renovations have been done to facilities since 1992 and many facilities are out of compliance or below standards. All school buildings need repair. Additionally, safe, well-maintained facilities improve the educational performance of students.
“I believe that our schools reflect our community values,” said Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Dick Cvitanich. “We work hard to support our children in many ways across our community. Unfortunately, we have not been able to generate community support to address building and infrastructure needs. As a result of this, our buildings have continued to deteriorate, and it is now time to address health and safety needs.”
æCvitanich said the special plant facilities levy will address many concerns including asbestos removal and playground safety. It will also reduce overcrowding in the elementary schools while increasing classroom space where growth is occurring. The bottom line is that taking care of our taxpayer's investment is a priority for the school district.
Several schools need the levy for long overdue asbestos removal, Hope Elementary needs to replace their sewer system, several facilities district wide need to be finished such as the field house at the high school, and the middle school also needs an upgraded fire alarm system. These are just a fraction of the health and safety issues the levy will address.
“Our children deserve comfortable and safe facilities in which to learn,” said Cvitanich.
The levy will also make improvements such as reducing both utility and ongoing maintenance costs that will provide a direct return on our investment. It also reduces the costs of operating district buildings, implements a district-wide energy management system that will reduce cost, improve technology infrastructure and provides equipment upgrades and construction that will be more cost effective today than if put off until some undetermined time in the future.
“A yes vote on the levy is a vote of support and caring, not only for the future of our students, but for our local economy as well,” said Little. “It is critical that we think not in terms of what our needs are, but the needs of our businesses and the community.”
Information: online, www.sd84.k12.id.us; or phone, (208) 263-2184
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Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Dick Cvitanich will also be speaking at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce monthly general membership luncheon on April 10 at Cedar Hills Church beginning at 11:45.
To register, go online to www.sandpointchamber.com or call (208) 263-0887. Tickets are $15 with reservation and $20 at the door.