District went too far in asking for more money

A lot of people feel the school district went too far in asking for $2 million more than the existing levy. Voters should turn this one down, because another request will be forthcoming. I have looked at the state Web site, wvw.sde.idaho.go and recommend you do the same.

Did you know we pay our superintendent several thousand dollars more than the other school districts in our size group? And we pay our teachers at the top much less?

Another thing I learned is that Lakeland is a district to be admired, academically, and economically. In 2007, they spent $5,433 per full-term ADA (average daily attendance general maintenance and operation) while we paid $7,057. Our graduation rate is a lot lower than Lakeland and the other districts in our size group. Should we be doing better with the money we do spend?

A lot is said about how Idaho ranks 45th out of 50 in terms of spending per student. What they don’t tell you is that Idaho is 15th in spending for schools in proportion of personal income. We have a lower average income per person in Idaho than in most other states. And, we have a higher proportion of school age children whose education must be funded by a smaller proportion of the population who are adults, relative to most states.

Please vote — absentee or in person.

PHIL FORTIN

Sandpoint