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Several years ago when we chose as a community to split our schools off from the Sandpoint school district, we chose to better our schools and ultimately our community.

While I certainly hear the voices of those I have spoke to about the levy, I strongly believe that if you don’t like the school board or the superintendent, you have a choice, get involved. Failing the levy does not fix those issues. If you have done your homework, you know that the state funding does not cover the entire cost to graduate a student. Actually they fund approximately 70 percent of that need. We as a community and a school district have worked hard to improve the classes we offer, to attract and hire quality teachers and to improve the quality education we give our students.

If you look at neighboring communities, we all have the need for supplemental levies. If we reduce the quality of our schools, or the classes we offer, if you were a teacher, would you want to come here to teach, or even live in this community? I think not.

I’ve heard rumors that the levy is not used for its voted in purpose. Again, the proof is public knowledge, go get it. On the school district website, there is a copy of the past two years of state-controlled audits, insuring the district is being run correctly and the levy monies collected are used as they were voted in. Again, please do your homework.

Priest River is growing, whether you want it to or not. I love Priest River, I want it to sustain itself. Every dollar we invest in our schools does come back to the community. If we do not continue to invest in our schools and community, there is the ripple effect, lack of amenities, lack of quality housing, lack of decent roads, why would anyone want to live here? I choose to invest in Priest River, I hope you do too. Please vote on May 21.

SUSIE HATFIELD

Priest River