During a Republican presidential primary, school districts across Idaho still fared well at the polls.
Voters approved more than $31 million in supplemental and plant facilities levies Tuesday, according to an Idaho Education News analysis of election results.
But there were exceptions. A plant facilities levy in Kamiah went down to defeat. And in the Magic Valley, the costliest ballot measure of the night fell short of the needed two-thirds support.
Here’s the roundup of results:
Cassia County: Voters rejected a $14.9 million bond issue designed to plug in funding gaps for district building projects.
The money would have been used to bankroll school projects in Burley and Declo. Voters had approved a $37 million bond issue a year ago, but the district’s architect had greatly underestimated building costs. That left the district with a $14.9 million hole.
Tuesday’s bond issue received 58 percent support, falling short of the required two-thirds supermajority.
“We knew it was a huge ask,” Cassia County superintendent Gaylen Smyer told The Times-News. “It is a significant amount of money. We also realize that to complete the projects we originally proposed it would take that much.”
Lakeland: Voters said yes to a one-year, $5.3 million supplemental levy, designed to maintain class offerings and offset cuts in federal funding. The levy passed with 53 percent support.
“The support we feel from our community is recognized and appreciated,” Superintendent Brad Murray said after Tuesday’s vote. “We plan to show our gratitude through our successes.”
Kellogg: A two-year, $5.36 million supplemental levy passed with 57 percent support, according to the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
Wallace: The margin couldn’t be much closer, according to the Spokesman-Review. A two-year, $3.7 million levy passed with only eight votes to spare.
Potlatch: A one-year, $1.39 million supplemental levy passed with 58 percent support.
Orofino: A two-year, $5.37 million supplemental levy passed, according to the Lewiston Tribune. The vote came hours after a divided House of Representatives approved the sale of a specialty license plate that could bolster Orofino’s budget.
Culdesac: A two-year, $500,000 supplemental levy passed, the Lewiston Tribune reported.
Genesee: A one-year, $935,000 supplemental levy passed, the Lewiston Tribune reported.
Kendrick: A one-year, $860,000 supplemental levy passed, the Lewiston Tribune reported.
Mountain View: A one-year, $2.66 million supplemental levy passed with a scant 50.4 percent majority.
Kamiah: A one-year, $133,350 plant facilities levy failed, receiving only 37 percent support.
Basin: A two-year, $500,000 supplemental levy passed with 66 percent approval.
Castleford: A two-year, $700,000 supplemental levy passed with 75 percent support.
Filer: A two-year, $1 million supplemental levy passed with 64 percent support.
Shoshone: A two-year, $600,000 supplemental levy passed with 68 percent support.
Hansen: Voters said yes to a five-year, $500,000 plant facilities levy. It passed with 60 percent backing.
Aberdeen: A supplemental levy passed with 63 percent support. The Bingham County district sought $675,000 over two years, according to KIFI Local News 8.
Soda Springs: A one-year, $798,000 supplemental levy passed with 60 percent support, according to Local News 8.
Salmon: A two-year, $388,000 supplemental levy passed with a 76 percent majority, according to Local News 8.
West Side: A $90,000 supplemental levy passed with 77 percent support.
North Gem: Voters approved a 10-year, $1 million levy, according to the Idaho State Journal.
