We owe our children a decent education

Much has been written about the upcoming school levy. As a parent, and someone who believes in the power of education, I am voting in favor of the levy. I would like to convince you to do so as well. Believe me when I say that I do sympathize with those on restricted incomes and I think that definition applies to most people.

And, if you are as strongly against the levy as some letter writers are — those same ones against levies in good times — I don’t think that I will be able to convince you even by stating the facts. Facts like:

n The state of Idaho funds only 80 percent of every school’s budget, the rest is up to the individual districts.

n The governor is already requesting a 5.3 percent reduction in education funding.

n The levy is not new, it merely replaces the existing one, and, thanks to the foresight of the LPOSD board, taxes will actually decline in the second year.

n This levy helps protect class sizes and supports rural schools.

n This levy preserves extracurricular sports — football, girl’s soccer, band, etc. — things that in the eyes of many colleges are not “extracurricular” any more.

However, if you are a parent of an LPOSD child, or are on the fence, please, please exercise your rights, become informed, consider all of the ramifications of your vote, and vote. In this era of global competition, it behooves all of us to give our kids a decent education.

DUKE DIERCKS

Sandpoint