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Cracks in WBCSD's foundation?

| May 11, 2023 1:00 AM

What happens without a strong foundation? Our country was built on the strength and blood of many who knew that our Judea-Christian beliefs were based on honor and truth. Our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence with the words “lives, fortunes and our sacred honor.”

If you see crumbling of these values around you, it may because honor and truth seem to be missing. Why are false scare tactics used to warn if the West Bonner County School levy fails?

The truth is that WBCSD is raising this purposed levy by 38%, meanwhile spending $3,000 more per student than surrounding schools.

The truth is WBCSD has the worst ISAT proficiency scores of surrounding schools and has the worst graduation rate.

The truth is that the 2023 Legislature has increased the state funding to schools this session by 16%.1

The truth is that certified staff is to receive a raise of over $6500.

The truth is that bus drivers and custodians will also receive a 56% increase in their wages. Discretionary funding will receive an additional $48 million state-wide, and kids' programs a whooping $298 million. 2

The truth is that WBCSD business office knew that this new state money was possible, yet did not calculate it in the proposed levy amount.

Citizens are asking for an outside audit because there are many irregularities found in the financial reports from prior years. Maybe we should also ask, where is the honor and Truth that existed during the founding of our nation.

MAUREEN PATERSON

Priest River

  1. Mountain States Policy Center. K-12 State General Fund Spending,Idaho.

  2. bit.ly/3VQAqPz