'Yes' vote supports kids, community

I ask everyone to take the time to learn more about the supplemental instructional levy at LPOSD’s Web site, www.lposd.org.

The LPOSD budget for 2009-2011 includes the following reductions from the current program even if the levy passes:

• Reduce two teachers at Sandpoint High School — $176,000

• Reduce three teachers in elementary Upper Quartile Program — $264,000

• Eliminate non-reimbursable field trips — $36,000

• Eliminate elementary counselor program — $210,000

• Extracurricular reduction — $74,000

• Reduce administration and clerical at central office — $60,000

• Eliminate second year of class size overcrowding support — $160,000

• Reduce number of computers in refresh program — $200,000

• Modify extended day kindergarten program — $142,000

• Two-year total — $1,312,000

So even if the levy passes there will be cuts in many areas.

The Idaho Department of Education is planning to cut $62 million from the education budget. This includes a 40-percent reduction in state spending for text books, a decrease in the allocation for classroom supplies for teachers, elimination of funding for field trips as well as freezes on wages and cuts in other areas.

To find out more about the Department of Education budget for public schools go online to www.sde.idaho.gov/site/schoolsbudget.

The supplemental instructional levy pays for curriculum materials, technology support, upper quartile programs for advanced students, and extended day programs for struggling kindergartners. Without the levy class sizes will increase and kids who need more one-to-one time will be the biggest losers. Our kids cannot be “put on hold” for two years. The loss of this levy will be devastating.

A “yes” vote for the levy is a vote for our kids and our town. Levy dollars stay in our schools and directly benefit our kids.

MARY ANN ROWE

Sandpoint