KSD, WSD looking for levy support

The Kellogg and Wallace School Districts are looking to pass supplemental levies in the upcoming election.

Both levies are exact replacements for the current tariffs that each respective district is operating under – however, there are a few changes in the KSD levy that may make taxpayers happy.

KSD’s levy totals out at $5,916,800 – or $2,958,400 per year for two years beginning in the 2024/25 school year.

Under the current levy, taxpayers in the district have been paying $361.79 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value – should the proposed ‘new’ levy be passed, taxpayers would see a significant reduction in that levy rate and only be paying $215.37 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value – a reduction of $146.42.

According to the district’s administration, the reduction in the levy rate is due to increased home values as well as $9 million worth of new construction that has taken place within the boundaries of the taxing district.

The funds from this levy make up roughly 25% of the district’s annual budget.

In the WSD, the replacement levy amount totals $3.4 million over two years – and will cost taxpayers $268.74 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. All exact replacements from the current levy.

Much like their neighbors, the WSD levy is responsible for roughly 33% of the district’s annual budget.

Public schools in Idaho receive the bulk of their funding from the State based on the average daily attendance, however, the funds from the state don’t come close to covering everything.

That’s where the levies come into play.

These levies fund line items like utilities, extra-curriculars (including sports), classroom supplies, technology, curriculum, full-day kindergarten, classroom support, transportation, the school district nurse, custodial staff, ancillary (Spanish and ROTC), and facilities.

Both of these initiatives will be on the November 7 ballot and require a simple majority vote in order to pass.