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My family is truly a LPOSD success story. My wife and I raised three children and they all attended LPOSD schools from K-12. Our school district did a remarkable job in preparing my children for life beyond high school and college. All three thrived in LPOSD. They did well in the classroom, applied to some of the countries most selective colleges, competed with large national applicants pools, and were admitted. They were not only admitted but earned incredibly generous academic scholarships, without which they could never attend such prestigious and expensive schools. Kids from a small rural district in Sandpoint can compete and succeed against kids from any school district in the country; we did it.

None of this would have been possible without the educational opportunities offered by LPOSD. As another cycle of school district levies approach, I fear that children in this district will no longer have the same opportunities that my children did. So much more is necessary for children to succeed in the 21st century than the basic three Rs. This is not your parents’ or grandparents’ school district. What worked a generation or two generations ago is not enough in 2017.

Education is enhanced by class size, diverse curriculum, technology, and extracurricular activities. The district must offer reasonable class sizes, curriculum in many subject areas and levels. Extracircular activities including athletic and academic competition, leadership, and service clubs build character through discipline, service, and teamwork. Non core academics including music, art, and dance enhance creativity. The stakes in this levy are high for the most important and vulnerable members of our community. Join me and support our schools March 14.

GARY SUPPIGER

Cocolalla