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Each school day, 3,700 children are dropped off to attend classes in the 11 school buildings that comprise the Lake Pend Oreille School District. In addition, over 600 employees plus hundreds of parents and community members frequent these facilities. These precious children and the adults who drop them off might assume that each of the buildings have electrical and heating systems that meet code, have information technology systems that allow the children to learn 21st century skills, have roofs that meet standards for snow load, have CO2 levels that are conducive to learning, and are safe in an emergency lock down situation (single points of entry, integrated alarm systems …).

The school district and the volunteer patron facilities committee have done their part in identifying the needs of the school buildings. Now it is the responisibility of the voters to pass a plant facilities levy to address the very urgent needs. In Idaho a plant facilities levy is the sole funding source as the state provides no extra funding for facilities.

Remember, the state of Idaho ranks 50th for per pupil spending. Even with this levy, our district, for the next six years, will only be about at the state average levy rate for Idaho. We also benefit from the tax dollars coming from those who own second homes here reducing the burden on locals.

Remember, the children cannot vote and are counting on adults to be their voice. Let’s be part of the solution. Vote yes on Aug. 30.

SCOTT and WENDY DUNN

Sandpoint