Vote yes for community, academic excellence

Vote “yes” on the Lake Pend Oreille School District replacement supplemental levy. This vote reflects well deserved confidence in our staff, our students, our children, our grandchildren, and our future.

Each Lake Pend Oreille school, especially the small rural ones, rely on local support to fund essential academic programs, services, and activities. In Idaho, our state does not fully fund schools. Each school district receives partial funding based on the number of students served. Then each district must go through a rigorous and transparent budgeting process to determine its actual needs. Bonner County patrons and students can rely on the integrity, honesty, and professionalism of the staff and leadership of LPOSD when supporting this replacement supplemental levy on March 14, 2017.

Voting yes to support community and academic excellence provides an excellent return on your tax dollars. LPOSD is consistently one of the highest performing school districts in Idaho. When exemplary student achievement for every student is discussed, all heads turn to North Idaho and the home of LPOSD. In addition, LPOSD has implemented new programs in direct response to stakeholder feedback. Successful new programs include full day kindergarten and the Homeschool Academy.

Most importantly, our community must come together in solidarity, united and focused, to make certain this levy passes. Not going to the polls on March 14 is the same as voting no. If the levy doesn’t pass, it will certainly be disastrous for our community and students. The safety of our students will be comprised. Class sizes shall increase and elective opportunities shall decrease. Schools will be consolidated resulting in an elimination of services to our small rural schools. Lastly, well over 100 full time positions will be lost affecting every economic facet of our community.

Vote yes to support community and academic excellence within the boundaries of LPOSD. This levy will allow our schools to continue to provide essential academic and athletic opportunities. In addition, a YES vote will maintain effective teaching and learning for every child.

Vote yes.

JUDY HULL

Sandpoint