No headline

It seems that the biggest concern over the levy is the amount of spending by the LPOSD. So let’s take a look at the facts.

For the 2008-2009 school year, the LPOSD received $7,600 per enrolled student. Of that, $5,400 came from the state and $1,500 was paid by district property owners. The balance was federal money.

For the 2016-2017 year, the total was $8,500 per student of which the state paid $5,300 and local taxpayers paid $2,500. As you can see, that state actually paid less this year than eight years earlier.

So, the LPOSD is spending $900 more per student in 2017 than in 2008. But, in the meantime we have experienced inflation of nearly 13 percent. So, the $7,600 we spent eight years ago would be nearly $8,600 today. And yet we’re spending $100 less per student than in 2008.

The proposed levy will raise spending per student for the 2017-2018 school year to about $8,700 per student, a $100-per-student increase over the inflation adjusted spending from eight years back. But, next year’s inflation will likely exceed that increase.

Clearly, the LPOSD spending is not excessive. The problem is that the state has shifted more of the burden to the local property taxpayer after committing 10 years ago to take on a larger share.

We must support the LPOSD and Bonner County by voting yes on the levy. Then you should ask your state legislators why the state is failing to carry its fair share.

BOB WYNHAUSEN

Sandpoint