A few questions on the WBCSD levy
In reference to the $4.7 million school bond levy, I see a lot of people in the store, and they have comments and questions about the proposed levy that weren’t covered in local media.
I have tried to summarize some of the comments. Maybe it would be a good idea for the school board to put forth more information on it to the public.
No. 1. The last levy was $3.4 million, this one is $1.3 million more or 28 percent more. So, the question presented is what is the extra $1.3 million going to be used for. Otherwise, answer each in comparison to the last levy by category.
No. 2. The article said that the levy would be a $1.16 tax levy per $1,000 of assessed valuation which is less than the last levy. This also needs explanation, if the proposed levy is more, then how can the tax rate be less? It doesn’t make sense.
No. 3, the article said that even if the bond fails there would still be a shortfall of $1.4 million. That doesn’t make sense either.
In summary, in the past, the levies covered everything, now all of a sudden, people are asking, why the $1.4 million shortfall when this levy is $1.3 million more? My suggestion is the school board put out better information and explanation in layman’s terms, and keep it simple. In addition to presenting these answers to the public, what were school district expenditures two years ago versus now? Do we get less money from the state? What was our enrollment then versus now?
ROGER GREGORY
Priest River