Replacement levy sought

Tough economic times have hit everywhere, and unfortunately the public school districts are not immune.

According to Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent Dick Cvitanich, there has been a significant reduction in staff for the past two years – 67 positions in all. The reduction is a result of revenue shortfalls from the federal government as well as an increase in costs associated with health insurance, school lunches and transportation.

According to Cvitanich, Gov. Butch Otter and the state Superintendent of Instruction Tom Luna have indicated there will be even more cuts in funding to school districts statewide. The impact on educational programs is projected to be significant.

That is why on Tuesday, voters in the Lake Pend Oreille School District will go to the polls to vote on a Replacement Instructional Supplemental Levy.

“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 cut over a dozen staff, defer curriculum and technology updates and reduce staff in the central office,” Cvitanich said.

Originally it was projected that the levy would cost approximately $13 million. But according to Cvitanich, the board of trustees for Lake Pend Oreille School District worked diligently to reduce the amount of the levy to the proposed $10.95 million.

“The board is mindful of the difficulties presented to our taxpayers given the unprecedented economic circumstances,” said Cvitanich.

Because taxpayers are currently paying for the Plant and Facilities Levy passed last May, the board proposed to assess the levy over a two-year period but to do so unevenly – $4.6 million the first year and $6.35 million the second, thereby reducing the impact on taxpayers.

“This will result in a very small increase in school taxes to the homeowner compared to what they are currently paying in year one. In year two, homeowners would find the current Plant and Facility Levy assessment ending,” said Cvitanich, who added that the school taxes would be lowered by 45 percent of the current rate in year two.

In an e-mail circulated among the community in early January, Cvitanich states that if this levy fails, $8.9 million dollars will disappear from an already depleted budget. “With 86 percent of our budget invested in staffing, the ramifications are clear,” he stated.

Should the levy pass, the revenue will go toward staff funding, maintaining educationally sound class sizes, maintaining information technology support staff, replacing outdated curriculum and maintaining lengthened day for the kindergarten age group.

Even if the Replacement Instructional Supplemental Levy passes, Cvitanich said Lake Pend Oreille School District will still suffer significant cuts in many areas including a reduction in teaching staff, elementary school counseling programs, reduction in the number of computers and the elimination of nonreimbursable field trips.

If voters decide to not support the levy, $4.45 million will be cut from the budget, which represents approximately 20 percent of operational funding. Although the cuts have not been decided, they may include all those that will take place regardless as well as an elimination of all academic and extracurricular activities, elimination of curriculum purchases, access to computers will be limited to use for state required testing and a reduction of 100 staff resulting in a significant increase in class size.

“Our children cannot afford a two-year ‘hiatus’ from a strong education. They are not ‘widgets’ that can be shelved for two years while the economy recovers. Research has clearly demonstrated that what happens in one year can have a cumulative effect on a student’s progress throughout their schooling,” said Cvitanich.