It's time for voters to step up and support schools

Lake Pend Oreille School District voters will again have the opportunity on May 20 to determine what kind of schools they want for their children.

Two years ago, they said overcrowded classrooms are acceptable, asbestos remediation is unnecessary, classrooms in cramped portables (read mobile home) without restrooms are preferred.

The list of facilities needs for our district far exceeds the limit of this letter. Suffice it to say our schools have continued to decline while the cost to make improvements continues to rise. District trustees have approved a pared-down plan that makes sense by putting classrooms where they are needed at Kootenai and Sagle Elementary and relieving the overcrowding at Farmin-Stidwell. It also allocates money to longstanding maintenance issues, not all, but the most pressing. And it provides funds for upgrades in the heating and cooling systems which will pay for themselves in time and allows the district to replace ageing buses and other infrastructure.

The state does not provide funds for school facilities. Lakeland, Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene and Bonners Ferry all have facilities levies. Statewide the average levy per $100,000 for the past 10 years was $ 159 while we have paid nothing.

It's time for voters to step up. If you don't believe there's a need go tour Clark Fork High School, Sandpoint Middle School, LPO Alternative, or spend a few hours in one of those tiny classrooms in a portable. You, too, will be convinced.

ANDY CHAPMAN

Sandpoint