The facts on school district's proposed supplemental levy

I think it’s time to fact check and set the record straight on recent statements made in letters to the editor and the My Turn column regarding extracurricular activities in LPOSD.

Mr. David Banning. Fact: Sandpoint High School has 15 paid football coaches covering three teams; varsity, junior varsity and freshman. These coaches supervise 140 student-athletes, not 15 coaches for one team. Of those 15, five are teachers. Not every club advisor is paid. In fact, most are volunteers. Academic clubs such as Model United Nations, Math Club, National Honor Society and Cedar Post are supported by an advisor stipend.

Mr. Dan Rose. Fact: At no point, ever, has LPOSD used taxpayer funds for Broadway shows. What Mr. Rose is referencing is our MUN Club who fundraises a trip to New York City. Again, fundraised independently. No taxpayer money is used. None.

Fact: Lake Pend Oreille School district has a decade of A-plus external annual audits.

Fact: LPOSD will be running a supplemental levy on March 14 which supports programs and people. This is a replacement levy that has been on the books for 17 consecutive years. On Aug. 30, LPOSD ran a plant facilities levy for buildings. Please be mindful these are two separate things. Eighty-three percent of Idaho school districts rely on supplemental levy dollars.

Fact: If this supplemental levy passes, it does not become permanent.

But this is bigger than fact checking a couple statements about extra-curricular activities and sports.

My Opinion: There is a concerted, organized movement in our community that does not support public education. These people are not from Idaho, do not care about Idaho and certainly don’t care about the future of Bonner County and Sandpoint. They care about what’s best for them, their movement and how they can profit from it.

Please take a minute and look at the fact sheet detailing what is supported through the supplemental levy available on the LPOSD website. If all this went away, is this a community you want to live in? Is this a community that will keep residents with school age children or will they relocate to a community supporting programs? Is this a community whose economy will thrive or will it bog down? Will we continue to be a welcoming, diverse, positive, vibrant community or be known for not supporting schools? Tough questions moving forward.

This movement is working diligently to discredit LPOSD, create mistrust by spreading falsehoods with the intent of failing this levy. I would be incredibly skeptical about further information from their campaign as they have a recent track record of not being factual.

Thank you to our community for your continued support of LPOSD and providing educational opportunities for our kids. Let’s be aware of what is going on and rise above these efforts by supporting an educated, diverse, well rounded student population. Let’s rise above division and unite for a common goal – What’s best for the 3,650 students in LPOSD. Vote yes March 14.

KRIS KNOWLES

Sandpoint