Several districts will seek levies on Tuesday

(UPDATED, 4:20 p.m., Aug. 26, to clarify Cassia County’s 2015-16 supplemental levy history.)

It’s a short ballot, compared to the March and May school elections. But several Idaho school districts will go to voters Tuesday seeking property tax levies.

Here’s the rundown:

Lake Pend Oreille: The Sandpoint-based district will seek a six-year, $55.1 million plant facilities levy.

The money would go towards several school projects, from furnishing and equipping a new middle school to adding four classrooms at Sandpoint High School, which would replace portables on the campus.

Unlike a supplemental levy, which requires only a simple majority vote to pass, this plant facilities levy requires 55 percent approval.

Madison: The Rexburg-based district wants voters to renew a two-year, $3.99 million levy.

If the levy passes, the district will use the money to stay the course on several ongoing projects: upgrading computer labs, replacing textbooks and installing security cameras. The district would also use the money to restore two instructional days that were cut during the recession, and purchase six buses.

Cassia County: The district is seeking a two-year, $1,548,488 supplemental levy. The $774,244-per-year levy is identical to the district’s current levy, but Cassia County collected $730,458 of that sum in 2015-16.

The Burley-based district says the money is needed to cover the costs of enrollment growth. The district also needs to come up with $222,500 to cover increased health insurance premiums. In the wake of a November court ruling, the district also needs to replace the $140,000 it collected in annual student fees.

Wilder: The Canyon County district is taking a second run at a two-year, $500,000 supplemental levy. An identical levy failed in May, receiving only 42 percent support.

Check back at Idaho Education News Wednesday for election results.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]

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