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The school board decision to rush-to-pass a $55,000 million levy without further study and community input is totally wrong. The levy amount and methods employed to bring it before the voters are highly suspect. I would ask, what are we teaching the very children it is to benefit? That it is proper to use whatever devious method necessary to attain the objective, including limited study of needs or options; excessive spending on election costs instead of including it with the general election; or that private correspondence to parents and school personnel is being forthright? Is it the end justifies the means? Also, considering the amount of money involved, isn’t a bond issue the right course of action? And how does declining enrollment fit in this proposal?

I’m a fourth-generation Idahoan, with a degree in education from the University of Idaho, and I am passionate about quality education. I support adequate resources for our schools but oppose this levy because its process and burden on Bonner County taxpayers cannot be justified. Over 2,500 tax delinquency notices were mailed to Bonner County residents in the recent tax period. And now it is proposed that we dramatically increase their tax liability even further? Have you no conscience?

I propose taking a step back and reevaluating the entire proposal.

Furthermore, if taxpayers understood the planned financing method of the proposal, they would oppose it. This is Idaho; we don’t believe in a “passing the bill to find out what’s in it” philosophy. We can’t afford a rush-to-pass tax levy.

RAY MILLARD

Hope