Chamber encourages LPOSD levy approval

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors supports the renewal of the Lake Pend Oreille School district levy. A “yes” vote on March 8 will replace the current levy and help the school district maintain our academic programs, technology, and extracurricular activities.

For the first time in state history, Idaho has reduced public school funding for two consecutive years. Without this levy, our schools will lose one-third of its staff, funding for extra curricular activities and technology updates. Without the levy the situation is bleak.

The Chamber Board of Directors believes facilitating quality outcomes for K-12 students in Sandpoint is vitally important to the business community and economic development for our area. Local businesses would be greatly impacted by the loss of any staff or teaching position.

Quality education is also an economic development issue. Existing and prospective businesses indicate a high-quality school system is an essential component when making expansion and new development decisions.

It is also difficult to recruit management and skilled employees when applicants are apprehensive about the quality of our schools. We must continue to invest in quality education and extracurricular activities to stay competitive in business growth and continue to attract new development and commerce to our region.

Dick Cvitanich, Lake Pend Oreille School District superintendent, stated, “Our district’s school taxes are the lowest of all surrounding districts and 60 percent below the state average. With past support, we have created a culture of learning where 95 percent of our students are proficient in reading, 89 percent in math and 87 percent in language usage. The levy will help maintain these statistics.”

The Chamber Board believes in keeping taxes low and being responsible with public funds. Considering the alternative (to the levy), our vote was unanimous.

Please join us and vote “yes” on March 8.

KATE McALISTER

Sandpoint

Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce

President and

executive director