Item: Coeur d'Alene School District to go back on pledge to reduce dependence on property taxes/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press

Christa Hazel: The interesting thing about this levy is that it is a Maintenance and Operations Levy instead of a levy for improvements or new buildings/programs.  A failed M&O really will impact our schools.  This first looks like poor planning -- barely two months ago voters approved a new facility/program that raised our taxes. The unforeseen global economic downturn didn't just happen since August.  On the other had, an M&O Levy's failure means teachers layoffs, less instructional time, less activities, etc.  So maybe it is strategic planning on the District's part to have a Chicken Little type campaign for the larger amount in a March levy.

Question: Is it a good idea to break a promise re: property taxes in the current Fire Engine Red Kootenai County political environment?