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A recurring argument of supporters of the LPOSD supplemental levy is that it has passed for 17 years and therefore needs to pass again to prevent catastrophic consequences.

So what’s in this $17 million levy that’s so essential? According to the LPOSD information handed out at a school board meeting, more than $14 million in salaries — some incredibly high ones, by the way, for administrators; also some for other staff, teachers, and for positions that did not exist before. Utilities, maintenance, and custodial services are listed at $860,000. Shouldn’t a lot of this be paid for out of the regular budget.

The purpose of supplemental levies is to cover expenses above what the state allocates for ordinary operation. Most salaries, utilities and maintenance can reasonably be called ordinary operation expenses. So why are they in a levy, and why is this levy bloated with new positions?

What most people also don’t know, and what LPOSD doesn’t mention in their levy talks, is that LPOSD received 7.5 percent extra each year for the past two years from the state, and that was after the last levy passed. They will also receive an additional 6.3 percent in 2017.

So a total of 21.3 percent will have been added by the state since 2015.

This levy deserves a no vote. LPOSD has the option of going for another levy vote in May, and we should insist on a reduced amount at that time. We are being fleeced while LPOSD flagrantly spends.

BUD SINCLAIR

Sandpoint