KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho – The Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) is facing uncertainty as its future funding lies in the hands of voters this month.
The program, primarily funded by the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and Lakeland school districts, is at a critical juncture.
Both Post Falls and the Lakeland School District are running levies this May.
Concerns have arisen due to some schools in the area struggling to pass levies, which could jeopardize student access to KTEC.
The program’s popularity has resulted in a waitlist, with hopes of eventual expansion.
However, any thought of expansion will remain on hold until operational funding is certain.
Post Falls School District Superintendent Dena Naccarato saying, “KTEC is extremely important and if Heaven forbid if our levy were to fail, we will run it again and November. We will pay for KTEC with fund balance.”
The Post Falls School District currently contributes about $400,000 annually to KTEC.
Naccarato stated, “We would not eliminate that opportunity for our students. It’s way too important.”
However, the district is also managing operational costs, running a renewal levy worth $5.9 million.
This funding is crucial as state support is insufficient.
Naccarato added, “Well, it’s important. We need this money. It is operational funding.”
Bill White, KTEC director, highlighted KTEC’s funding challenges, saying, “For KTEC it’s very crucial, because basically our funding comes from the three local districts. Each fund is at a different level.”
Coeur d’Alene Schools cover 51 percent of KTEC’s funding, Post Falls contributes 26 percent, and Lakeland pays 23 percent.
While the Coeur d’Alene Schools levy passed last year, Lakeland’s did not.
White warned, “If their levies don’t pass, potentially their students from their district won’t be able to attend KTEC because they wouldn’t be contributing any funding anymore.”
The school must notify KTEC one year before ending participation if funding ceases.
White emphasized the program’s community value, stating, “KTEC is a very important need in our community, and I think the community and superintendents sees the value of it.”
This election year adds another concern for Naccarato and other superintendents across the state.
Naccarato noted, “Our funding formula is 31 years old and it’s no longer efficient or adequate to educate students in the 21st century. The legislature and our governor needs to do better. Something needs to happen to fully fund public schools. It’s a constitutional obligation in the State of Idaho.”
Here is more information on the Post Falls School District levy and the Lakeland School District levy.
The election will be held Tuesday, May 20.
