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The forthcoming LPOSD levy election, at a cost of tens of thousands to Bonner County taxpayers for a single-issue special election, is being foisted upon the residents of this school district by the same administration that brought us the failed plant facilities levy in August 2016. We were told the end of the world was imminent for the school infrastructure with a no vote on the August ballot, only to witness barely a whimper when the no-vote dust settled.

Now the very same promulgators of the August levy are again warning of an end-of-the-world scenario if the supplemental levy is defeated — less of course, administrative compensation. When they threaten layoffs of a third of the staff, it’s safe to say that they’re not talking about the administration, which will continue to pocket their bloated salaries, perks, and benefits. And based on August’s levy experience, is it not conceivable that the threatened “catastrophic” consequences are again hyperbole because another levy would be immediately put on the May ballot to make it into the budget by the next fiscal year?

In the meantime, the public should know that, while this is going on, a bill is being fostered in Boise to reduce the super majority necessary to pass levies from 66 percent to 60 percent, close to the voting block of public employees in Bonner County. Clearly, taxpayers need a financial Faraday Cage for their wallets and purses!

TOM CLARK

Sandpoint