State Help Called Key, Unlikely

Some Kootenai County residents say it will take more than an enlightened electorate to pass school bond levies in these anti-tax times.

“I don’t think any public relations is going to help until legislation changes to help us fund it,” said parent and activist Joni Hirst.

Help from the state appears to be a remote possibility.

Since a statewide report found $700 million in school facility needs two years ago, state politicians have done little more than discuss the issue.

One popular idea was to create a state matching fund. But Ron Black, R-Twin Falls, the chairman of the House Education Committee, said that won’t happen unless the governor sets aside money in his proposed budget.

“School districts down here are not interested in taking money out of the education budget to help build buildings in the north,” Black said.

Gov. Phil Batt is unlikely to take up the cause.

“He doesn’t feel right now that we have the money to help pay for school facilities,” said his spokeswoman, Amy Kleiner.

Other solutions that require legislation include lowering the two-thirds majority requirement to pass a bond, allowing areas to pass local option taxes for school construction, and increasing a state sales tax to fund schools.

Attempts to lower the “super-majority” requirement have consistently failed in the past. Black predicted that will continue.

But schools may be gaining some sympathy in Boise.

Rep. Jerry Thorne, chairman of the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee, said at a meeting in Coeur d’Alene recently that, because of the many close bond elections, he is more inclined to support lowering the super-majority.

, DataTimes