School, 911 Issues Also On Ballot

Besides electing county officials, Bonner County voters will have two other issues to decide on Tuesday.

The school district is asking for a nearly $1 million levy to repair badly damaged roofs at five schools, while the county wants to charge residents $12 a year to install a 911 system.

The school district has tried twice and failed to pass a levy for building repairs. Water damage at Priest River Elementary School is so bad the district closed six classrooms. Some elementary students had to be moved to the junior high because of the closure. Water seeped into light fixtures and electrical wiring creating a safety hazard.

Parts of the ceiling have come down in two other schools because of leaky roofs and the district does not have the cash to fix them.

County commissioners want to improve 911 service to residents. Some residents in outlying areas cannot call 911 or their calls are rerouted two or three times before the proper agency is notified.

A new system would improve response time by fire, ambulance and other emergency crews. It initially will cost residents $12 a year. Commissioners expect that fee to be reduced once a new 911 dispatch center is built and new equipment is installed.

, DataTimes