INSTRUCTIONAL LEVY COSTS REFLECT CHANGING ECONOMY: A message from the superintendent
Educational programs in Idaho will be heavily impacted by the projected allocation of in state funding to school districts, which were recently voiced by both Governor Otter and State Superintendent of Instruction Tom Luna. Half of the State of Idaho's general fund supports public education for K-12 grades. After numerous Board meetings, study sessions, and staff/citizen input, the Board of Trustees for the Lake Pend Oreille School District has decided to move forward with a two year Supplemental Instructional Levy which totals $13,646,624. The goal of the levy is to soften the impact on students given the projected formidable cuts in state funding. Even with a successful levy effort, our school district will be forced to reduce staff and defer curricular and technology updates.
As a result of previous revenue shortfalls, declining student enrollment, and increasing costs in such areas as health insurance, food for the school lunch program, and transportation, the district has reduced staffing at all levels for several years. Included in those cuts have been over 72 staff positions, including the elementary counseling program and classroom teachers.
Included in the proposed levy are dollars for staffing, both certificated and classified, limited technology upgrades for students and staff, student activities, both academic and athletic, maintenance, and student curriculum. Again, even if the levy is successful, there will be cuts in all of the above areas. Original projections called for a $16 million levy but given the current economics, the Board trimmed the requests to the $13.6 million figure.
The Board of Trustees has worked hard to reflect the concerns of taxpayers in this economic climate and has developed a plan that will benefit our students. Concurrently, the Board is mindful of the difficulties presented to our taxpayers given the unprecedented economic circumstances. This will result in a very small increase in school taxes to the homeowner. Our school district continues to have the smallest tax burden in our region including Coeur d'Alene, Bonners Ferry, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts. It is 60% below the average state levy rate.
As Superintendent, I assure you the Board and staff have worked extremely hard to develop a figure that is fair to our community and our students. We will not know the final outcome of the State budget process before our election date of March 8; however, we do anticipate more cuts. This will result in across the district, technology reductions, and other cost savings measures, even if successful.
In short, the levy will reflect the uncertain economic times. It is lean with little to spare. We look to our community to support this measure that will maintain our basic educational services.
LEVY FACTS AND FIGURES
Total: $13,646,624 over two years
- Year one: $6,823,312
- Year two: $6,823,312
THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS BASED UPON A DECLINE IN SUPPORT FROM THE STATE.
What Reduction Would Occur Should The Levy Fail?
A failed levy will result in a cut of $6,823,312 dollars from the district's budget; roughly 26% of all operational funding. The Board would reconvene to determine cuts. However, the most likely scenario includes the following:
- Reduction of 100 staff between teachers, aides, and administrators; resulting in significant class size increases
- Elimination of all academic and athletic extracurricular activities
- Elimination of student access to computers except for state required testing
- Elimination of curriculum purchases
- More austere reductions to be determined
Citizens with questions should telephone
Superintendent Dick Cvitanich at 263-2184, ext. 1015, or
Business Manager Lisa Hals at 263-2184, ext. 1018