School board not sold on survey option

PONDERAY — Following the failed Aug. 30 plant facilities levy, Lake Pend Oreille School District officials believe the key to success of a subsequent plant facilities levy depends greatly on input from the community.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, Lisa Hals, the district's chief financial and operations officer, presented board members with a draft survey, which was prepared by Moore Information, Inc., a public opinion research firm based in Portland, Ore. Board members turned down the option after learning it would cost the district anywhere from $17,000 to $24,000.

"I'm not convinced that spending more money now is the way to go," said board member Joan Fish.

Another option Hals presented to board members is an in-house survey drafted by district officials.

"This isn't the administration's recommendation, but it is certainly an option," Hals said.

The survey, if done by Moore, would be administered by phone and through email so LPOSD could reach as many voters in the district as possible. An email survey could only reach those who the district has an email address for, including about 550 parents and about 700 LPOSD staff members. A phone survey would attempt to reach the majority of those who voted on the Aug. 30 levy, which was about 8,500 people.

If the district does an in-house survey, Hals said the phone survey option would not be available and would limit the reach of public opinion. An in-house survey would be administered online and through email only.

"A phone survey is specifically targeted to those that voted in the plant levy on Aug. 30, 2016, so you are missing a very different voice," Hals said.

Chairman Steve Youngdahl said, while he "loves data," the board members have already narrowed down three areas to improve the next levy proposal. The first area he said that needs addressed is the total dollar amount. The second area to address is getting more detailed information and numbers on the rebuilds and repairs needed throughout the district. And the third thing, he said, is the future of Lake Pend Oreille High School.

"We can't even start to decide what school to build if we don't answer the overarching question of 'what is that school now?'" Youngdahl said. "It's a unique situation. If we move it over toward the high school that's a different philosophy on the mission and how you teach — as opposed to being standalone."

A plan for LPO was not included in the list of repairs and rebuilds on the previous levy, and Youngdahl said the building is one of the worst in the district. He said that is something the next facilities planning committee will need to look at.

Youngdahl said he would like to see interim reports from the committee throughout the planning process for the next levy. He also said a couple of board members sat on the previous committee, which he is not in favor of.

"I think we should be sitting in more objective places and not be part of it," Youngdahl said. 

A new planning committee with a broader selection of candidates will be formed prior to a levy proposal. Hals said she, along with Superintendent Shawn Woodward and Facilities Director Matt Diel, would likely sit on the committee again.

Board members also plan to engage in a workshop to allow interactive dialogue with community members before the next levy proposal. The survey option is still up in the air and will likely be discussed further at the next board meeting on Oct. 11.