LPOSD levy gets support

SANDPOINT - Parents and educators endorse a replacement levy that funds enough teachers for manageable class sizes and retains an upper quartile math and science program.

About 120 people attended a special public workshop Tuesday at Sandpoint High School regarding a Feb. 24 supplemental levy that would replace an existing $12.1 million, two-year levy.

Lake Pend Oreille School trustees are "making a mistake" if they do not continue to fund those programs even though enrollment has decreased, said Gary Suppiger, a parent whose children attend three district schools.

In fact, the district should be expanding its offerings to "guarantee improvement," he said. "There are a lot of great programs in this district," he said.

Funding for the upper quartile program, which comes from Panhandle Alliance for Education, is set to expire next year. PAFE has funded several programs, including a new counseling position at SHS held by Jeralyn Mire, with the stipulation that the district would step in and continue to fund the programs.

This year, educators in schools throughout the district are dealing with ramifications of a higher than expected decline in enrollment.

That decrease means that last year's part-time Kootenai Elementary principal Betsy Walker is now working at that school and Washington Elementary. Don Moore, who was a full-time principal at Sagle Elementary a year ago, is now splitting his time between Sagle and Northside Elementary schools.

Educators say that change has made it a challenge to address administrative and disciplinary matters.

A majority of people who attended the meeting expressed support for the levy, with some suggesting that trustees should be mindful of making sure  it includes enough money to support the district's academic mission.

Farmin-Stidwell teacher Ande Berliner said she had hoped to retire before facing the situation she now is in with 32 students in her classroom within a school that is without a nurse, fewer counselors and children at times cleaning up the bathrooms.

"It's so hard to address all needs of children," she said.

They also may have to make some very serious decisions given the current economic climate, said Kootenai Elementary School teacher Naticia Litven.

Some parents do not understand why another supplemental levy is needed, while others are concerned that when construction at the school is complete, the district will not be able to afford the additional staffing, she said.

Litven said trustees may need to take a close look at its athletic programs if they are looking at making additional cuts to teaching positions.

Kendon Perry of Sagle, a vocal supporter of funding school district levies, said one of the reasons trustees supported the two-year plant facilities levy (it appears for the first time on December's property tax bill) rather than a bond is to build the trust of the voters.

That trust is in danger if "we build schools and we don't have the money to put teachers in those classrooms," he said.

Two people also spoke out against the levy, saying now is not the time to increase taxes.

"This is not the time to do that," said retired Sagle resident Ed Bittner. "It's just putting the taxes on people on fixed incomes out of sight.

Bittner said he supports funding education, however, people are either losing or are in danger of losing their homes.

SHS teacher Damien Gooding said now is not the time to be "daunted by economic downturn" - that education is "an investment in our citizenry."

Another opponent said the district also needs to do a better job of explaining why school district funding has increased so much on December's property taxes.

Property owners will pay for both the supplemental and plant facility levies beginning in December. That overlap will exist until the plant facilities levy expires in two years.

Trustees will hold two levy workshops in December and will determine a levy amount at the second meeting. The first meeting is set for 5 p.m. at the district office in Ponderay, while the second meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary.