School levies roundup: What eastern Idaho voters need to know before Election Day
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EAST IDAHO -— Voters in 11 eastern Idaho school districts, from large urban districts to small rural ones, will decide whether to approve supplemental levies in the Nov. 3 general election, with millions of dollars in local school funding at stake.
The proposed levies range from $320,000 to $22 million over two years and would help pay for expenses including teacher and staff salaries, classroom materials, school safety, transportation and extracurricular activities.
Supplemental levies provide school districts with property tax revenue beyond their regular state and federal funding. Unlike school bonds, which generally finance major construction projects, supplemental levies typically help cover day-to-day operating expenses.
Some districts are asking voters to renew existing levies, while others are proposing changes to their current funding levels.
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Supplemental levies require a simple majority of votes cast to pass.
The following breakdown of supplemental levy proposals across eastern Idaho is based on information compiled by Idaho Education News.
Voters can view sample ballots and find additional election information at VoteIdaho.gov.
Idaho Falls School District 91
Idaho Falls School District 91 is seeking a $22 million supplemental levy over two years, or $11 million annually.
Approximately $8.4 million per year would support employee salaries and benefits, while another $1.1 million annually would fund extracurricular activities. Remaining funds would go toward school safety, security and maintenance expenses.
The estimated annual property tax cost is $124 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.
Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25
Pocatello-Chubbuck School District 25 is asking voters to renew its existing $16.5 million, two-year supplemental levy, or $8.25 million annually. The amount requested remains unchanged from the previous levy.
The district plans to use approximately $4.25 million annually for classroom instruction, including salaries and benefits for teachers and support staff. Additional funding would support custodial services, curriculum, technology, school safety and student activities.
The estimated annual cost is $95.63 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. District officials say the levy renews an existing funding measure rather than requesting an increased levy amount.
Teton School District 401
Teton School District 401 is requesting a $14.2 million supplemental levy over two years, or $7.1 million annually.
Most of the funding, approximately $6.8 million per year, would go toward employee salaries and benefits. The remainder would support curriculum, district programs and educational initiatives.
The estimated annual cost is $103 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, an increase of $31 compared with the expiring levy.
American Falls School District 381
American Falls School District 381 is asking voters to approve a $5.9 million supplemental levy over two years, or $2.95 million annually.
Approximately $2.68 million per year would support employee salaries and benefits, including teachers and other district personnel. Additional funds would cover classroom supplies, curriculum, technology and school resource officers.
The estimated annual cost is $192 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, an increase of $13 compared with the expiring levy.
Fremont County School District 215
Fremont County School District 215 is seeking to renew a $3 million supplemental levy over two years, or $1.5 million annually.
Approximately $495,000 per year would go toward employee salaries and benefits, while $430,000 annually would support extracurricular activities. Remaining funds would help pay for curriculum, technology, musical instruments and school resource officers.
The estimated annual cost is $32.95 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.
Marsh Valley School District 21
Marsh Valley School District 21 is requesting a $2 million supplemental levy over two years, or $1 million annually.
The district would allocate approximately $350,000 annually toward curriculum. Additional funds would support special education, literacy intervention, career and technical education programs, and extracurricular activities.
The estimated annual cost is $42.10 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.
Soda Springs School District 150
Soda Springs School District 150 is asking voters to approve a $993,000 supplemental levy over two years.
The funding would primarily support employee salaries and benefits, along with school resource officer services.
The estimated annual cost is $60.37 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value.
Grace School District 148
Grace School District 148 is seeking a $900,000 supplemental levy over two years, or $450,000 annually.
The levy would help fund employee salaries and benefits, with additional money allocated toward maintenance, transportation, curriculum, technology and food services.
The estimated annual cost is $131.90 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, a decrease of $14.65 compared with the expiring levy.
West Jefferson School District 253
West Jefferson School District 253 is asking voters to approve a $720,000 supplemental levy over two years, or $360,000 annually.
The entire levy would be used to support employee salaries and benefits.
The estimated annual cost is $100.73 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, the same as the expiring supplemental levy.
Butte County School District 111
Butte County School District 111 is requesting a $320,000 supplemental levy over two years, or $160,000 annually.
Approximately $90,000 per year would support employee salaries and benefits. Remaining funds would cover curriculum, maintenance, transportation and interscholastic activities.
The estimated annual cost is $55.30 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, unchanged from the expiring levy.
Challis Joint School District 181
Challis Joint School District 181 is seeking a $1.6 million supplemental levy over two years, or $800,000 annually.
Approximately $286,200 per year would support classified employee salaries. Additional funding would go toward classroom supplies, extracurricular activities, transportation and other employee salaries.
The estimated annual cost is $81.73 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, an increase of $6.94 compared with the expiring levy.
What voters should know
The property tax figures listed above are estimates based on taxable assessed property values and do not necessarily represent the actual increase or decrease an individual homeowner would experience.
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Voters should also distinguish between the total amount requested and the amount of new funding. Several districts are seeking renewals of existing levies.
The 11 proposals will be on ballots Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters can contact their county election offices for polling locations, sample ballots and additional election information, or go to VoteIdaho.gov