Show pride in community and support kids, levy

It is time to show support for local schools. Voters across Idaho will do the same for their children. The average supplemental request will be 28 percent higher than last year. Our proposed total 2009-2010 levy rate is .0021, unchanged from last year. The statewide average rate is .0035, about 66 percent higher than ours. Despite well below average financial support, our teachers and students have done surprisingly well on a shoestring budget.

This year, a policy was created to balance the budget eliminating 67 staff including 22 teachers and all elementary counselors. To maintain this level, projections called for a $13 million levy.

But given current economics, the school board trimmed further to $10.9 million. Even with passage of this reduced levy more cuts will be necessary, including 12 professional teaching staff. If we fail to pass the levy, all of the above will occur plus the reduction of 100-plus staff resulting in class sizes around 35, elimination of all extracurricular activities (athletic, academics, arts), elimination of all student access to computers except where required for testing, and elimination of all new curriculum purchases. The results would be disastrous for our students and our community.

We have one chance to educate a child. In an increasingly competitive world economy, our kids need every educational edge they can get. It is our responsibility and our privilege to make a difference now. Make sure you know the facts and how important your vote is. Local schools can and should be a source of community pride and they play a critical role in economic development. Take pride in voting yes for the LPOSD replacement levy on Feb. 24.

SCOTT R. DUNN, M.D.

Sandpoint