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<p class=MsoNormal>Dear Parents,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Last Spring, the voters of Moscow voted to approve a
supplemental levy for our schools. As you probably know, the vote was
challenged in a law suit, and the Moscow School District has been advised by
the Court to re-run the election. A special School Board Meeting was held
October 9, 2007, to decide whether to rerun the election. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>At the meeting, MSD Superintendent Candis Donicht summarized
the Court’s findings and instructions:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>- Regarding the initial 1992 election to establish the
permanent supplemental levy, the judge found this to be a legal election. So
this stands.<br>
- Regarding the subsequent supplemental levy increases in 1997 and 2002, the
judge stated that these levies were time-barred and cannot be challenged. So
those increases stand.<br>
- Regarding whether or not the levies were legal in the first place, the judge
said yes.<br>
- Regarding whether the ballot in 2007 was properly framed, the judge said that
the language is flawed. The ballot needs to have the total amount of the levy
(current amount plus increase total levy) stated clearly.<br>
- The judge found that there was no bad faith on the part of the district.<br>
<br>
<b>The School Board voted unanimously to run the supplemental levy increase
election again. The election will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007
at the Latah Fairgrounds Exhibit Building from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m</b>.
The election will ask voters whether or not to approve an increase of
$1,970,000 per year for a total of $7,616,000 per year for an indefinite number
of years to cover lawful expenses for maintaining and operating the schools in
the Moscow School District beginning the school year 2007-2008. Voters
wishing to request absentee ballots may contact the MSD office; telephone
882-1120.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b>MSD Superintendent Candis
Donicht will attend our next Parent Group Meeting on November 6, 2007 to answer
any questions you have about the Supplemental Levy. The meeting will be
from 7:15 to 8:15 am in Room 216. Superintendent Donicht will speak at
7:30 am.</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The Moscow School District has prepared an information
packet about the levy, which is available at <a
href="http://www.sd281.k12.id.us/Board_of_Trustees/VoterLevyInfoNov07.pdf">http://www.sd281.k12.id.us/Board_of_Trustees/VoterLevyInfoNov07.pdf</a>.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The levy provides additional revenue to maintain small class
sizes and valuable programming and services. Team Teaching for seventh
and eighth graders is one very successful levy-funded programs at MJHS.
The program had to be limited to seventh graders this year due to funding
uncertainties generated by the law suit. If the levy campaign is
successful eighth grade team teaching can be restored, class sizes reduced, and
extra-curricular programs and activities protected. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Many MJHS parents are involved in efforts to support the
levy, and would welcome your help and support. If you would like to get
involved (see below), please reply to <u><span style='color:blue'><a
href="mailto:celebrezze@moscow.com">celebrezze@moscow.com</a></span></u> with
what you can do to help. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Will
you host a yard sign?</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>
<br>
<i>Will you write a letter to the editor?</i> <br>
<i>Will you help make phone calls?</i> <br>
<i>Can you campaign in your neighborhood?</i> <br>
<i>Can we use your name in pro-levy ads?</i> <br>
<i>Will you wear an election day sign?</i> <br>
<i>Can you provide a ride to the polls?</i> <br>
<i>Will you donate money for the campaign?</i> Donations can be made to
"Support Moscow Schools", and sent to PO Box 9922, Moscow, ID
83843. Donations are used to pay for yard signs, newspaper ads, flyers,
etc.<br>
<br>
Can you help with other odd jobs? <br>
<i>Big Sign Makers</i> -- create large signs (usually by painting on plywood)
to be put up around town. We have been offered some prime locations in
town. Helpful to have access to plywood and desire to cut and paint. <br>
<i>Person with a Pickup</i> -- for sign delivery. We're hoping for more
rain so it's easy to get those NON-COMPOSTING SIGNS in the ground. <br>
<i>People to call People Who've Given Money Before</i> -- Call these proven,
past supporters. <br>
<i>Lemon Meringue Pie Maker</i> -- We can use these as excitement generating
thank yous. <br>
<br>
It's feeling positively possible already. Let's pass a levy! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Peggy
Jenkins<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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