For several districts, key elections loom Tuesday

Tuesday’s school election slate includes a little bit of everything — supplemental levies, a repeat bond issue and recall elections in one Treasure Valley district.

Here are thumbnails on Tuesday’s big races:

West Ada

Supplemental levy. Two years, $28 million.

Four days after Linda Clark’s sudden resignation as superintendent, trustees met with more than 100 patrons Tuesday night and tried to shift the discussion to the levy.

First passed in 2012, the supplemental levy was used to restore nine classroom days and rehire staff. Renewing the levy is one issue that had even united Clark and her nemeses on the school board; as she resigned last week, Clark said a failed levy would leave West Ada no recourse but to cut staff and instruction days.

It will be up to patrons in the state’s largest district to decide the fate of the levy. A simple majority is needed to pass.

Nampa

Supplemental levy. Two years, $15.56 million.

Like West Ada, Nampa heads to the polls to renew a levy that expires next year.

But Nampa is seeking a funding boost — and is banking on increased property values to cover much of the difference.

If the new levy passes, Nampa has several plans for the money, including hiring 10 teachers; beginning a six-year cycle of replacing curriculum materials; and reducing student fees.

In March 2014, Nampa voters approved a two-year, $6.8 million levy.

The levy adds up to a $13 tax increase on $100,000 of taxable property.

Vallivue

Supplemental levy. Two years, $9 million.

The rapidly growing Canyon County district hopes to use the renewed supplemental levy to maintain current staffing, replace textbooks and purchase technology and fund Advanced Placement and concurrent credit programs.

Bonneville

Bond issues, $55.3 million and $8.2 million.

For the third time this year, this Eastern Idaho district seeks the elusive two-thirds support needed to build a new high school.

The high school bond issue is Tuesday’s big-ticket item. The $8.2 million bond issue would add on an athletic stadium and performing arts center at the school.

District officials hope a slightly smaller bond issue request will push them over the hump. In May, a $56 million bond issue fell just 17 votes shy of the needed two-thirds supermajority.

Caldwell

Trustee recall elections.

Leif Skyving and Amy Rojas face recalls Tuesday — in a campaign stemming from June’s still-unexplained ouster of Superintendent Tim Rosandick and deputy superintendent Luci Asumendi.

Skyving and Rojas were two of the three trustees who voted to oust the administrators, who still remain under contract with the district through June.

Rojas and Skyving defend the secrecy surrounding the shakeup, saying the release of sensitive personnel information would expose the district to a lawsuit.

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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