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LPOSD levy: Do not believe everything you read. Know the facts

• LPOSD $55.1 million, six-year plant facilities levy is not more than the combined total for all other school districts in Idaho. Fact: 2015 Idaho plant facilities levies equal $53,480,073 plus $140,340,241 bonds in 2015. LPOSD’s annual amount equals $55,100,000 divided by six years equals $9,166,667/year. This compares to the $53,480,073 for one year.

• Why a plant facility levy rather than a 20-year bond. A bond clearly spreads the cost over 20 years but the 66 2/3 yes vote requirement was not realistic in the Facilities Planning Committee’s humble opinion. Fact: A bond actually costs more in total property tax dollars as well as the financing expenses result in an additional $6,831,003 cost to the property taxpayer.

• One school at a time. Fact: This method would push the projects years down the road and every year this need is ignored costs an additional $2.2 million based on 4.5-percent annual construction cost inflation. Suggesting LPOSD run consecutive plant facility levies as well as supplemental levies would surely tax district staff and volunteers. Most important, district staff and administration are hired to educate.

• Facilities Planning Committee was not a public forum. This is absolutely a fact. It is the norm for committees to function independently and efficiently. Committees will subsequently make a recommendation to a board, at which time public comment is welcome. This public comment has absolutely occurred in relation to this levy process.

• Twenty-first century education and facility requirements are not present in most LPOSD buildings. Fact: Our students and teachers deserve better and our community must accept the responsibility to support the future.

Vote yes Aug. 30.

KENDON PERRY

Sagle