Levy failure would devastate schools

As you are aware, the Lake Pend Oreille School District, along with more than 55 percent of school districts in Idaho, must rely on supplemental monies to bridge the gap between state funding and actual costs. In this current economic climate, the district cannot sustain a loss of supplemental educational monies garnered through levy approval. We, the building principals and program directors of this district, seek our community’s support in the upcoming supplemental replacement levy on Feb. 24.

Our district provides small community schools, vigorous after-school programs, award-winning academics, the finest athletic programs in our state, state-of-the-art technology for instruction and communication, robust curriculum materials, and teacher training. As a result, student achievement and test scores have never been higher.

Without your support, the impact on our students’ education will be devastating. The loss of these supplemental dollars may force:

• Class sizes of 35 children or more

• Elimination of extra-curricular activities

• Limited computer education in our elementary schools as well as the restriction of purchases for new technology.

• Reduced access to computers and current technology

• Reduction of instructional materials and elimination of curriculum purchases

• Loss of one in five district staff

 As proud members of this wonderful community, we truly need your support especially during these tough economic times. In a small rural town atmosphere, we are more than just schools; we are neighbors, part of each other’s daily lives. It takes each and every one of us to vote yes for the continued success of our community’s greatest resource — our children.

Please join us to vote yes on Feb. 24.

PAT VALLIANT, Southside Elementary School principal

DON MOORE,

Sagle and Northside Elementary principal

BETSY WALKER, Washington and

Kootenai Elementary School principal

ANNE BAGBY,

Farmin-Stidwell Elementary principal

SHERRI HATLEY,

Hope Elementary

School principal

PHIL KEMINK, Clark Fork Junior-Senior High School principal

RICK DALESSIO,

Lake Pend Oreille

High School principal

KIM KEATON, Sandpoint Middle

School principal

DAVID De MERS, Sandpoint Middle School activities/athletic director

CHERYL KLEIN, Sandpoint High School activities/athletic director

PENNY TENUTO, Sandpoint High School assistant principal

MIKE MITCHELL, Sandpoint High School assistant principal

BECKY WELLER KIEBERT, Sandpoint High School principal

JUDY HULL,

District Title I and

curriculum director

MARTA KATANA,

district special

education director

BOBBIE HASS,

child nutrition director

SID RAYFIELD,

facilities director

SEAN CRONIN,

technology director