Just two months after Idahoans voted on more than $1 billion in school funding, nearly three-quarters that amount — over $734 million — is on the ballot for May 16.

While five of seven large measures failed to surmount the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass bonds, most of this round’s school financing requests involve plant facilities levies (often requiring 55% voter approval, depending on the size of the levy and the district’s debt ratio) and supplemental levies (which need only a simple majority to pass). These include West Ada’s record-setting $500 million plant facilities levy, and Coeur d’Alene’s new ask, after a permanent supplemental levy failed in March.

Idaho’s steady growth means schools spanning from the Boise suburbs all the way up north to Coeur d’Alene and east to Bonneville are tending towards overcrowding. A total of 16 districts are asking voters to green-light 18 spending proposals to expand and renovate schools. Get all the details on what districts need below and keep an eye on Idaho EdNews for unfolding results after voting day on May 16.

West Ada:

• What: Ten-year, $500 million plant facilities levy.
• What’s at stake? The largest local funding issue in Idaho history contains 12 major projects and renovations at all 58 West Ada schools. Big-ticket items include a new $100 million career-technical education center for expanded instruction and student skill acquisition in high-demand fields, $70 million to build two new elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding in north and south parts of the district, $52 million for expanding and renovating Centennial High School and $32 million for to upgrading playground accessibility and safety.
• What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires approval from 55% of voters. A plant facilities levy, collected from annual property tax cash flows. West Ada asserts that this would save the county about $255 million in interest over its 10-year lifespan.
• Further reading: West Ada’s proposed levy would benefit all 58 schools

Vallivue:

• What: $78 million bond issue.
• What’s at stake? Two new elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding at six of seven district schools. New roofs and HVAC systems for Vallivue High School and East Canyon Elementary. Land purchases for future schools.
• What’s the process? All bond issues require a two-thirds supermajority to pass. The bond will cost $78 million in principal and $38.6 million in interest.
• Further reading: District election information page

Coeur d’Alene:

• What: Two-year, $50 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? The supplemental levy accounts for about a fifth of Coeur d’Alene’s annual budget. The largest slice of the levy, $7.2 million, is set for teacher and staff compensation. About $4.6 million goes into maintenance, transportation staffing. $3.35 million funds new elective, enrichment and CTE classes. And $2.82 million is planned for classroom and school resources.
• What’s the process? A simple majority is required to pass this two-year supplemental levy.
• Further reading: District election information page

Bonneville:

• What: 17-year, $34.5 million bond issue.
• What’s at stake? With approved funds, the district plans to build a new elementary school and supply the money necessary to repair and replace school roofs. The new school will enroll 700 students in general education classrooms and provide additional classrooms for special education programming.
• What’s the process? A two-thirds supermajority is required to pass Idaho bonds. This bond will cost taxpayers $36 a year per $100,000 of taxable property value.
• Further reading: District election information page

Idaho Falls

• What: Ten-year, $33 million plant facilities levy.
• What’s at stake? The district plans to use those funds to build a new elementary school on the south side of Idaho Falls through a lease purchase agreement. The district reports Sunnyside Elementary to be at about 145% capacity.
• What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires approval from 55% of voters.
• Further reading: Idaho Falls trustees approve a $33 million plant facilities levy for the May ballot

Lakeland

• What: Two-year, $19.04 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? After failing to pass a larger supplemental levy in March, Lakeland scaled back its ask. About three-quarters of the bond will go towards certified, classified, and administrative pay. There is also money budgeted to improve extracurricular resources and personnel, student transportation and safety.
• What’s the process? A supplemental levy requires a simple majority to pass.
• Further reading: District election information page

Lakeland

• What: Two-year, $2,293,040 plant facilities levy.
• What’s at stake? Lakeland plans to improve, maintain and repair existing buildings, acquire and improve school sites, purchase school buses and equip school buildings with necessary facilities.
• What’s the process? A plant facilities levy requires a 55% majority to pass.
• Further reading: District election information page

West Bonner County

• What: Two-year, $9.4 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? In order to replace the current levy ending on June 30, the district proposes a two-year supplemental levy — which would represent about 33% of its annual operating budget. Renewed funding will supply a new bus, athletics activities, a school resource officer, salaries for teachers and support staff, textbooks, learning materials and training for staff and safety and security facility improvements.
• Further reading: District election information page

Hagerman

• What: Five-year, $2 million plant facilities levy.
• What’s at stake? The district plans to combine $800,000 saved from a previous levy with the proposed $2 million plant facility levy funds to renovate or replace the Prince Memorial Gym as well as to address facility needs. The plant facility levy would maintain current property tax rates via maturing current plant facility and supplemental levies.
• Further reading: District election information page

Emmett

• What: Two-year, $1.2 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? New school roofs, front entry doors, and ADA compliant door handles. Safety lighting for exterior areas of district buildings.
• Further reading: District election information page

Emmett

• What: Two-year, $800,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Elementary counselors, instructional coaches, core content teachers and special education support staff.
• Further reading: District election information page

Weiser

• What: Four-year, $1.24 million plant facilities levy.
• What’s at stake? With this cash injection, Weiser plans to upgrade safety measures at school entrances, address necessary building maintenance issues, and upgrade facilities.
• Further reading: district election information page

Payette

• What: Two-year, $1 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Half of this funding would go towards developing elementary and middle school curriculum, one-fifth to upgrading the track, one-tenth to maintenance equipment, one-tenth to teacher compensation and one-tenth to building security.
• Further reading: district election information page

Whitepine

• What: One-year, $880,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? About two-thirds of this levy is designated for salaries and benefits. The rest of the funds would be spread almost equally between security and technology upgrades, maintenance and operations resources, transportation, supplies and curriculum and athletics and extracurricular programs.
• Further reading: online ballot

Parma

• What: Two-year, $800,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards certified and classified staff salaries and benefits. The remaining monies will be spread between extracurricular coaching stipends and services, technology upgrades and a school resource officer.
• Further reading: district election information page

New Plymouth

• What: Two-year, $700,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards certified and support staff salaries. About 15% would go towards a new bus. The remaining funds would be used to purchase athletic and instructional supplies.
• Further reading: district election information page

Salmon River

• What: One-year, $495,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? This levy renewal would help pay teacher, special education and other classified staff salaries, in addition to funding extracurricular programs and technology.
• Further reading: district election information page

Nezperce

• What: One-year, $445,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Over half of this levy would go towards staff salaries and benefits. The rest of the money is set for curriculum and supplies, utilities, transportation, and maintenance bills.
• Further reading: online ballot

Cottonwood

• What: One-year, $200,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? Almost half of these funds would be applied to utility bills. The rest of the levy will be spread between maintenance/janitorial repairs and supplies, technology, online support and substitute teachers.
• Further reading: online ballot

Find info on all ballot measures here.

Idaho Ed News Data Analyst Randy Schrader contributed to this report.