Schools Plan For Future Teacher Morale Soars After Voters Approve New Cda Middle School

It’s back to the drawing board for the Coeur d’Alene School District.

Only this time, school officials and architects will be fine-tuning plans for a third middle school instead of looking for a different way to sell its construction to voters.

On Tuesday, 62 percent of the voters said “yes” to a $9.5 supplemental levy to the school.

The levy, like two failed bond elections before it, was meant to relieve serious overcrowding at Lakes and Canfield middle schools.

“We’re very, very excited,” Canfield Principal Jim Lien said Wednesday. “I know of no one who really enjoys paying more taxes. But I’m just thrilled we’ll have a better facility for the students.”

Lien was at school district headquarters Tuesday night to await the election returns. He was elated when the first ballots came in from the polling place at Dalton Gardens Elementary.

Of those ballots, 55 percent were marked “yes.” That was the percentage the levy needed to pass.

“From then on, it was really good news,” said Lien.

Of 15 polling places, the only one with a lower percentage of yes votes was Hayden Lake Elementary, with 49 percent. The highest was Lake City High, with 77 percent.

The election results sent teacher morale soaring at Lakes Middle School, said Principal Larry Hill.

“They were feeling pretty down after the last two defeats,” he said. “It sure raised their spirits immensely, which is a nice way to end the year.”

The new school will hold 750 students. It is scheduled to open in the fall of 1998 on Kathleen Avenue, east of Ramsey Road.

Construction probably will begin next May, said assistant superintendent Dave Teater.

, DataTimes