'No' vote is tantamount to torching district

The upcoming Lake Pend Oreille Supplemental Levy on Feb 24 comes at a very challenging time in our economic lifetimes. And it would be easy to check that no vote.

The facts, however, are simple. A no vote is tantamount to torching the outstanding school system the administration and you the community have assembled. This levy will not increase taxes but will keep them flat the first year and reduce them the second. Idaho schools are forced by state allocations  that force schools to rely on supplemental levy's every 2 to 3 years. And Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter promises to cut funding even next year.

Don't confuse this levy with the plant facilities levy that last year provided capital funds to the schools, money that must be separate from the operating levy proposed in this year's election. They are distinct and unrelated.

This district has already cut 60 staff positions in the past two years. The school board and district have stripped this request to the bone. Tough times or not we must say yes to this levy or forever accept that Bonner County's kids are shortchanged not only in this world, but in our nation. Even a one year lapse will require staff cuts, the repercussions of which will reverberate for years.

Please, please vote yes on Feb. 24 and make sure your friends and neighbors are informed as well.

ANDY CHAPMAN

Sandpoint