We need to vote against the levy

Regarding the proposed $55 million land lease agreement and accompanying levy financing bond issuance, LPOSD would be the first school district in Idaho to use this method of financing new construction and remodels. The investment firm of Piper-Jaffrey clearly alludes in its disclaimers that it works in its own best interest, so buyer beware.

LPOSD has admitted that if there is default on payment to bond holders, the district could lose the entire school system’s property and buildings. As the district superintendent stated, “this is a very safe bet.” Since we are asked to co-sign a bet of hundreds of millions of dollars of public-owned property, why hasn’t the LPOSD obtained hard costs for the proposed work ahead of asking for the levy?

The figures used to come up with the levy amount are estimates using a low figure per square foot for construction costs, no contingency funds, and the lack of obtaining a finished design for all this new and remodel construction will quite probably result in costs way exceeding the numbers used for the levy. Let us remember the county courthouse project, $800,000 at the starting line and over $5,000,000 at the finish line.

The cart is being put before the horse in this scheme. The facilities planning committee was packed with LPOSD employees, board members and fellow travelers. No representatives from the taxpayers were involved with the committee’s six meetings, no public access to the meetings and no minutes kept as to discussion.

I also cannot fathom why the LPOSD facilities director, Matt Diel performed the school buildings’ physical condition assessments and they were used in the consultants’ report. To my knowledge, Mr Diel is not a registered engineer or licensed architect and he is partially responsible for the present conditions of the schools since he was responsible for the maintenance of the schools.

I say vote no on the levy and let’s use the public’s common sense to achieve our goals not the select few.

ANGELO LONZISERO

Sagle