Voters in Idaho school districts passed six supplemental levies and a Bonneville School District bond issue during Tuesday’s school elections.

These bonds and levies are slated for building repairs, security enhancements and computers.

Bonneville voters overwhelmingly passed the $34.5 million bond with 70% voting in favor of paying for a new elementary school. Voters turned down a similar proposal in May. Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme said that he was pleased with the voter turnout and support of patrons.

“This school will add much-needed classrooms, preserve our all-day kindergarten program, and provide space for our students with significant disabilities,” Woolstenhulme said in an email. 

He also encouraged continued civic action from supporters, and from those who voted no because of the added property tax.

“The constitutional duty to establish a uniform and thorough system of public schools must include funding to actually build the schools necessary to provide education. Local residents should not be burdened with the significant cost of building schools,” Woolstenhulme wrote.

Voters in Shoshone turned down an $8.2 million bond proposal.

In the West Bonner School District, patrons recalled two trustees — chair Keith Rutledge and Susan Brown. More than 2,000 patrons went to the polls to shake up the board.

Here are the unofficial results.

Bonneville

Election Result: Passed with 70.12% support

• What: $34.5 million bond issue.
• What’s at stake? The bond will pay for a new elementary school, slated for a $32 million construction cost. The remaining $2.5 million will go towards repairing and replacing roofs throughout the district.
• What’s the process? All bond issues require a two-thirds supermajority to pass. The bond is estimated to cost a total of $37,479,392 at a 3.55% per year interest rate. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy is a tax of $35 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Bonneville school district bond breakdown

Shoshone

Election Result: Failed with 56.15% support

• What: $8.2 million bond issue.
• What’s at stake? Acquiring and constructing a new entrance, administrative office and extension to Shoshone Elementary School, renovating and remodeling Shoshone High School, which includes entrance modifications, office additions, and security enhancements, acquiring and constructing a new multipurpose facility, and renovating other existing school facilities.
• What’s the process? All bond issues require a two-thirds supermajority to pass. The bond was estimated to cost $8,543,818 at a 3.91% per annual interest rate. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy would have been a tax of $127.86 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Shoshone school district bond breakdown

Vallivue

Election Result: Passed with 55.9% support

• What: Two-year, $14 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? The levy will pay $3.5 million for salaries and benefits, $1.25 million for technology, devices, and support, $1 million for transportation, $750,000 per year for district enhancement programs, and $500,000 for classroom curricula.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $76 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Vallivue supplemental levy information page

Marsh Valley

Election Result: Passed with 55.79% support

• What: Two-year, $2.2 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? The levy will pay $582,000 per year for district salaries, $200,000 for classroom curricula, $156,000 for facilities upkeep, $100,000 for special ed and gifted programs, $42,000 for athletics, and $20,000 for arts programs.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $49 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Marsh Valley School District

Orofino

Election Result: Passed with 55.88% support.

• What: Two-year, $5.37 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? The levy will pay $1,735,000 per year for district salaries, $750,000 for maintenance and operations and $200,000 for safety, security and technology.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $288 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Orofino Joint School District

Shelley

Election Result: Passed with 69.18% support

• What: Two-year, $1.45 million supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? $150,000 per year for custodial and maintenance supplies, $40,000 for safety and security and a school resource officer, $190,000 supplemental pay for teachers and counselors, $195,000 in supplemental pay for clerical and technology staff and paraprofessionals, $70,000 supplemental pay for transportation personnel, $80,000 for supplemental coaching and adviser stipends for extracurricular activities and travel.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $64.94 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Shelley schools informational flyer

Castleford

Election Result: Passed with 75.63% support

• What: Two-year, $700,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? $315,000 total for facilities maintenance, $285,000 for teacher and staff salaries and benefits, $43,000 for classroom supplies, $40,000 for extracurricular services, $17,000 for curriculum.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $152.14 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Castleford School District

Valley

Election Result: Passed with 60.66% support

• What: Two-year, $600,000 supplemental levy.
• What’s at stake? $270,000 per year for teacher and staff salaries and benefits, $30,000 for student travel expenses.
• What’s the process? A simple majority was required to pass this levy. The estimated average annual cost to taxpayers on the proposed levy is $89.95 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year based on current conditions.
• Further reading: Valley School District newsletter