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Citizens of the LPOSD will be heading back to the polls March 14, for a two-year supplemental levy of $17 million. That’s a 7.8-percent increase from the present levy.

Before you vote, you need to be aware of what this levy covers. The ballot question does have six line items, but the details as presented by the individual departments are not described.

The Facilities Department requested $1.12 million, but nothing to address the issues reported as a problem in the August plant levy; $2.17 million is slated for technology and staff, including the addition of summer interns.

To review and possibly implement a new English Language Arts curriculum and professional development will cost $507,000. However, our students perform very well on the assessment tests with the present curriculum.

The district wants to expand the full-day kindergarten program. The state pays for half-day kindergarten and parents who wish to participate in full day, pay a “tuition.” More of this expense is being covered by local property owners through this levy.

Funding all academic and athletic extra-curricular activities is a cost of $1.53 million. These activities are not funded by the state as they are outside the core academics. The district pays over 100 coaches and advisors. These teachers getting extra duty pay for groups from football to golf; from the Model UN to the yearbook and a list of activities in between.

The biggest portion is $11.43 mllion for staff. Sorry, I don’t have enough space to go into this item here.

KATHY ROSE

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