School Levy Results

The March 14 School Levy Election did not turn out as hoped. Unfortunately, the Yes campaign failed to garner the needed votes to sweep these elections. Although the news wasn’t all bad, it was an unfortunate outcome for the students in the Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland School Districts. As a reminder, school levy elections require a 55% majority vote to pass. Here are the results.

Coeur d’Alene Schools

• Supplemental Levy – Failed (48.97% in favor)
• Plant Facilities Levy – Failed (54.48% in favor)

Lakeland Schools

• Supplemental Levy – Failed (49.08% in favor)

Post Falls Schools

• Supplemental Levy – Passed (61.20% in favor)

Kootenai Schools

• Supplemental Levy – Passed (56.82% in favor)

A SAD DAY FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Shame on the KCGOP for using distortion and misinformation to scare voters into casting misguided votes against needed public school funding. As a result of their efforts, the levy elections in the Coeur d’Alene and Lakeland School Districts failed to garner sufficient support to meet the 55% threshold to pass. Moreover, despite what they tell their supporters, these negative results hurt everyone especially the students whose education will suffer for it.

According to CDA School Superintendent Shon Hocker “The loss of 25% of our district’s funding will have a significant impact on our ability to provide programs and resources students have relied upon for generations.” Hocker continued: “Our staff will continue to do their best to keep our facilities functioning at an adequate level.”

Unfortunately, it will not be enough and people who expect quality schools for their children could be less willing to settle here. If this anti-education agenda persists in Kootenai County, concerned parents will look elsewhere for schooling or may even move out of the area. This may be the hidden agenda of the KCGOP; to weaken our public schools to make them less attractive to prospective parents. We must not let their attacks on public education succeed.

Good News Regarding Our Community College

On a brighter note, North Idaho College got a reprieve from the KCGOP’s efforts to thwart the tenure of NIC President Nick Swayne. Thankfully, a court order required the board of trustees to reinstate him last week.

Tomorrow Dr. Swayne will host a focus group sponsored by the Joint Chambers of Commerce. The purpose of the Community Focus Group is to address “key questions coming from community regarding NIC accreditation concerns. Joining Dr. Swayne will be senior NIC faculty and administrators. The meeting will be held at 2 PM on the NIC campus in the Edminster Student Union Building. It is free and open to the public. I plan to be there. If you would like to attend, click on the link in this paragraph and register.

With efforts like this, I trust that Dr. Swayne and his administration will begin to return a sense of calm and order to our beloved NIC.

The KCDCC Supports Higher Education

Kootenai County Democrats, like the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and other area businesses, are great supporters of higher education.

Just last night we contributed $1000 to the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber Scholarship program. Many of the county’s biggest and best businesses joined in this effort. Moreover, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe is matching all contributions, effectively doubling the number of students who may benefit.

The scholarships will be awarded April 11 at the Chamber’s Upbeat Breakfast at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. I plan to be there. If you would like to attend, click on the link in this paragraph and register. You should know that there is a fee to attend the breakfast. However, it is not much, and your participation helps demonstrate that Democrats are the party that supports education in our community.

Have a super week everyone. And thanks for being a Democrat.