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The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce board of directors and staff supports the renewal of the Lake Pend Oreille School District Levy. A “yes” vote on March 12 will replace the current levy and help the school district maintain our academic programs, technology, and extracurricular activities.

The levy funds one-third of all district staff, all academic and athletic extracurricular activities, all curriculum and instructional materials, as well as funding a wage increase for our teachers and staff to become regionally competitive in Idaho. It funds technology and all curricular materials and professional development. Without the levy the situation is bleak.

The chamber board of directors and staff believes facilitating quality outcomes for K-12 students in Sandpoint is vitally important to the business community and economic development for our area. Local businesses would be greatly impacted by the loss of any staff or teaching position.

Quality education is also an economic development issue. Existing and prospective businesses indicate a high-quality school system is an essential component when making expansion and new development decisions.

It is also difficult to recruit management and skilled employees when applicants are apprehensive about the quality of our schools. We must continue to invest in quality education and extracurricular activities to stay competitive in business growth and continue to attract new development and commerce to our region.

The chamber board of directors and staff believe in keeping taxes low and being responsible with public funds. Considering the alternative to the levy, our vote was unanimous.

Please join us and vote “yes” on March 12.

MICHELLE SIVERTSON

Chairman

BOB WITTE

Vice Chair

ROBIN HANSON

Secretary

JACOB STYER

Treasurer

CHAD FOUST

ANDY GION

CORY DONENFELD

ANDRA NELSON

DEANNA HARRIS

SEAN MIRUS

STEPHANIE RIEF

KATE MCALISTER

President & CEO

RICCI WITTE

Office manager & membership specialist

KRISTIN CARLSON

Communications specialist