Support Priest River kids with “yes” vote

Be sure to circle the date, go to the polls, and vote “yes” for the West Bonner County School levy on May 18. These funds are essential to the district to operate schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Without these local levy funds schools will close, experienced teachers will be laid off, programs will be curtailed and kids will suffer. Every child in this country, in Idaho, or in Priest River, is entitled to an adequate and equitable free public education. I own and operate a business in the West Bonner County School District and struggle to find employees with the education to enter the work force

The Idaho Legislative does not allocate adequate funds to provide the education every child deserves. In fact, Idaho ranks dead last, fiftieth in the nation among all 50 states in per student spending for K-12 public education. It's sad and the losers are the most vulnerable with the smallest voices, the children. West Bonner and virtually every other school district in the state are forced to use the only tool Idaho state law makes available, a local property tax levy, to provide the additional resources necessary for a public education.

Public schools are a safe place where students not only learn academic skills but receive the vocational and the social support to succeed. Unfortunately, until the legislative of this state provides the essential monies to support kids and their schools, local levys will be necessary. The West Bonner levy request is modest. Other school districts in North Idaho are supported by a levies that are larger than West Bonner. Support our kids; education is the pathway from poverty to prosperity.

GARY SUPPIGER

Cocolalla