Proposed levy is simply too much

On March 23, Lake Pend Oreille School District is asking the voters of the district to vote them a $3 million, two-year levy. This is too high.

In a recent article in the Bee, LPOSD compared its levy rate with the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls school districts. If we're to compare school districts, we should also compare student enrollment and administrative staff size. LPO school district with an enrollment of less than 4,100 students, has an administrative staff of more than 35. While the Coeur d'Alene School District has an enrollment of 9,150 and an administrative staff of about 25. The Post Falls School District has 4,900 students and an administrative staff of about 20. As you can see, Lake Pend Oreille School District with the smallest student enrollment has, by far, the largest administrative staff. LPO still has the same size staff as before the district split in 1999. It appears to me that most if not all of the upcoming levy will go to pay this district's excessive administrative costs.

With another district split pending, it's time this district's officials started planning some very substantial reductions in the administrative staff. The technology director/information systems manager position is being vacated in April. When this position is vacated it should be eliminated.

If the long-ignored voter of LPO/Bonner County School District are unhappy with the way the school district is being run. They should vote against the proposed levy on March 23.

A.B. KELLOGG

Sandpoint