Throughout Idaho, public school districts are preparing to request almost $185 million through bonds and supplemental levies in the upcoming election. The lion's share of this amount, approximately $150.5 million, comes from three significant bond proposals by the Filer, Middleton, and Shelley districts. These funds aim to support infrastructure improvements and educational resources across various schools. Additionally, 24 districts have put forward a combined $34.2 million in supplemental levies to cover operational costs and staff salaries. With these measures requiring a two-thirds majority to pass, the outcome could significantly impact Idaho's educational landscape.
Among the major requests, the Filer School District is seeking $52 million to construct a new middle school, revamp its high school track and football field, and enhance career-technical education equipment. Meanwhile, Middleton has scaled down its previous $54 million proposal to $19.9 million, focusing solely on building a new elementary school. In contrast, Shelley's ambitious $78.6 million plan includes constructing a new high school, a career-technical education center, and renovating existing schools.
In Caldwell, the Vallivue School District is appealing to voters for $7 million annually over two years. This funding would primarily boost teacher and staff salaries, while also supporting technological upgrades, transportation, and curriculum development. Smaller districts like Three Creek are requesting modest amounts, such as a $22,500, two-year levy to fund a paraprofessional position and essential repairs. Supplemental levies typically average around $1.4 million and are crucial for covering salaries, resource officers, and extracurricular activities.
For the West Bonner School District, the stakes are particularly high. If their proposed $4.7 million, two-year levy fails, they may be forced to close two elementary schools, exacerbating an already precarious financial situation after shutting down their junior high last year.
The statewide vote will occur on May 20, running from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Success or failure of these measures could redefine how Idaho's public schools manage their budgets and provide quality education in the coming years. Property taxes collected during the 2023-2024 school year amounted to $487.5 million for approved initiatives, underscoring the importance of voter decisions in shaping the state's educational future.