Levy's failure will cause lasting harm

Don’t be short-sighted. Voting no on the levy will have lasting negative effects. Underfunded schools often have larger class sizes, fewer advanced classes, and a lack of resources. They also tend to have less experienced teaching staff or no teachers at all. It has been shown that schools with a high level of community support and parental involvement have students with higher attendance rates, better grades, less behavioral issues and a more positive outlook towards school and homework.

Public schools are the keystone that holds a community together. They are where families and children interact. Our kids learn how to become productive members of society in a school setting. If our schools fail, families will leave our community, and new families with children will not move in. If we lose our students, we lose a large portion of the part-time workforce in our community.

Are you willing to bag groceries? Are you willing to be a busboy at your favorite restaurant? Are you willing to stock shelves at Ace Hardware? Are you willing to become a barista at your local coffee shop? Are you willing to scoop ice cream at Mac’s? Are you willing to be the summer help shoveling manure at the cattle farm? Are you willing to count crickets at the pet store?

If we lose our families, you will soon find out what your $200 per year “tax break” will do to our wonderful community.

Please support your entire community; vote yes for the levy on May 16.

HANNAH HIRST

Sandpoint