Without WBCSD levy, the students will be just fine

How sad it is that after defeating it once, our desires don’t seem to matter, and we have to do it all over again. I am referring to the West Bonner County School District levy.

First, it seems so wrong that a levy can be up for a vote over and over in the same year to try to get it passed. We don’t do that for our elected government officials.

Secondly, I feel that this tax should be illegal for the following reason: It doesn’t tax all of the residents in the boundaries of the school district. It only taxes those who happen to be property owners. Property owners, you are being punished for purchasing your property. In order for a levy of this nature to pass, it should require a two-thirds majority vote, but it doesn’t. Everyone supports the schools. To think that because we vote against this levy, we don’t care, is a false way of thinking. We are paying heavy state income tax from which our schools are supported. Also, our property tax partially goes to support the schools.

Why then should just the property owners have this placed on them and not all residents? In one year, the average property will pay a minimum of $515. The cost for the levy is $147 per $100,000 property value and the average appraisal of property in the Priest River area is $350,000. Over two years, it doubles. Most of the residents in the Priest River area are not wealthy, nor millionaires, so taxing them while struggling to pay their mortgages will make it even more difficult with the other taxes we must pay. Many of the residents are retired or unemployed and are on a very limited income. This will hurt these people a great deal.

The West Bonner County School Board doesn’t really care with this levy who they hurt. They just want the money to fill their coffers. Did you know that the school board has a large reserve fund that has not been used?

I hear the argument, “we must support our children”. Well, folks, we do support our children, and it won’t take this levy to do so. There are other sources that the school board could also go to if really needed in order to gain additional funding such as grants, company and private donations, etc.

The students, without this levy are going to do just fine. Everyone doesn’t have to drive a new Cadillac each year. For those of you who believe so strongly that this should be passed, I suggest that you go ahead and donate the money to the school district which would be a tax deduction. Don’t punish those of us who can’t afford the extra tax. I strongly urge every person to vote against the West Bonner County School District levy as an act of fairness to all of our residents.

GEORGE TAYLORSON

Priest River