KCRCC Takes A Stand On Upcoming School District Levies
The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) held a special meeting on February 2nd to discuss the upcoming levies in the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls School Districts. On January 24th, representatives from Lakeland and Post Falls School Districts met with the KCRCC, the official Republican Party in Kootenai County, while representatives from Coeur d’Alene School District declined the invitation.
After meeting with these School District representatives and considering all of the available levy data, the KCRCC voted to recommend or oppose each of the upcoming levies. The results of the votes are:
Lakeland School District - Recommend
Post Falls School District - Neutral
Coeur d’Alene School District - Oppose
KCRCC Recommends Lakeland School District Levies
The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee recommended to support the upcoming Lakeland School District levies at their January 24th meeting.
Following a presentation by Lakeland School District #272 superintendent, Lisa Arnold, a majority of elected committee members representing the official Republican Party in Kootenai County voted to recommend the district’s $1.146 million plant facilities and $9.52 million supplemental levy.
Precinct Committeeman Phil Thompson said “Over the past year, the Lakeland school district has demonstrated its willingness to respond to, listen to, and respect its taxpayers and parents.” Open debate at the January 24th meeting focused on Lakeland’s recent demonstration of sound use of taxpayer funds.
The KCRCC encourages residents of Lakeland School District to vote yes on the Lakeland levy on March 14th.
Kootenai County Republicans Oppose Coeur d’Alene School District Levies
In contrast with the Lakeland School District Levy, the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee voted to oppose both of Coeur d’Alene School District’s upcoming levies.
On March 14th, Coeur d’Alene residents will vote on two separate levies: one 5 year $5 million levy for safety and maintenance, and a second levy which would give $25 million in taxpayer funds to the School District every single year, forever. Residents would no longer have the ability to leverage their hard earned tax-dollars in exchange for accountability and fiscal transparency.
Nina Beesley shared deep concerns over the perpetual levy saying “it removes the voice of the people, and it removes their vote.” School levies are commonly voted on every two years, and this mechanism gives citizens the ability to withhold funds, when the school district fails to respect and carry out the wishes of its’ taxpayers and parents.
Beesley continued, saying “‘In perpetuity’ is not a representative republican form of government, and should never be supported.”
According to Redfin 1 , the average home price in Coeur d’Alene is $548,000. These levies would cost the average taxpayer $626.09 per year, and will have a disproportionately negative affect on Kootenai County’s most vulnerable citizens.
The 14th amendment of the constitution says the state shall not “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,” and this perpetual levy deprives all future voters in Coeur d’Alene the due process of law that they have enjoyed up until now, inhibiting the legal right for future generations to come.
Coeur d’Alene Schools have faced outcries from concerned parents over the past several years over their mask and vaccine policies, as well as their controversial new programs Portrait of a Graduate* and Sources of Strength* which are filled with ideologies that are opposed to our shared community values.
The KCRCC stands steadfast in their opposition to both of Coeur d’Alene School District’s levies.
KCRCC Remains Neutral on Post Falls School District Levies
During the February 2nd special meeting, some representatives from the KCRCC signaled mixed support for Post Falls safety levy, but ultimately the majority of the committee decided to remain neutral on the upcoming levy at Post Falls School District.
KCRCC Vice-Chair, Rob Barrans, said that Post Falls “should have money to support safety.” Many members of the committee shared the vice-chairman’s sentiment.
One member of the committee said that, in their opinion, the Post Falls School District has “not effectively managed the money that they have received from the state.” Other members of the committee expressed concern over the $3.8 million which is allocated to “unspecified extracurricular activities, salaries and maintenance.”
Post Falls upcoming levy is currently totaled at $5,958,551, and will raise property taxes by $60.25 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.
For more information about this press release or other matters related to KCRCC contact: info@kootenaigop.org
1 https://www.redfin.com/city/4370/ID/Coeur-d-Alene/housing-market
2 https://www.cdaschools.org/domain/2793
3 https://www.cdaschools.org/Page/9024
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