Administration Building Ranks Low On List

Asked about the need for a new school district administration building, Coeur d’Alene residents ranked that at 118 out of 120 priorities.

A centralized food service, maintenance and bus building came in 87th in a September survey.

The numbers sure didn’t surprise Mic Armon, an investment adviser who heads the district’s Long-Range Review Committee.

“Of course, that’s a low priority - it didn’t have an impact on the kids,” he said. “Most people look at it and say, ‘What’s the best thing for the kids?”’

Still, the school district will go before a judge next Monday seeking permission to build a support services building. It would include administration offices, and be built without the usual vote of the people.

Armon hopes they get the go-ahead.

Initially skeptical of the plan, Armon’s become convinced that the district can pay for the building with money now spent on rent, from other savings, and from proceeds from the sale of the existing bus barn. So taxpayers won’t have to dig into their pockets for it as they must do for new classrooms.

Armon also looks at the administration building, which was not built to accommodate the handicapped, and considers the cost of a possible lawsuit against the district for not meeting federal access laws.

On behalf of the school district, attorney Dana Wetzel will ask District Court Judge Craig Kosonen to declare the building an “ordinary and necessary” expense.

The hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. Detractors will have the opportunity to speak, Wetzel said.

, DataTimes