IDAHO, USA — Idaho voters get their say on various issues next Tuesday, including giving school districts a boost in funding.
Four districts — Nampa, Middleton, Basin and Minidoka — have levies on the ballot. Nampa is asking for $14.78 million per year for two years.
"It's just things that are not covered in the money that we get out of the general fund from the state," spokesperson Kathleen Tuck said.
If the levy passes, much of the money would go toward salaries. The district would also spend some money on athletics, curriculum, technology and building maintenance.
Nampa's levy does come with a higher price tag than usual. Tuck said the last levy was about $8 million.
However, she said the district needs the additional money to keep up with inflation.
"Curriculum is extremely expensive," Tuck said. "If we don't keep that updated, then we risk having outdated textbooks and materials for our students. And the cost of technology, of course, is always very high."
Middleton School District is asking for $1.5 million per year for two years. Similar to Nampa, school board chair Pam Wagoner said Middleton would spend the money on salaries, security, curriculum and building maintenance.
If their levies pass, Tuck and Wagoner said taxpayers would pay less than they are right now because of a recent property tax relief bill — House Bill 292.
Additionally, Tuck said growth in the area means the cost of the levy is spread out among more people.
"In the end, our taxpayers will see an actual 20 cent per $1,000 decrease," she said. "So, that means if my home was worth $100,000, then I would see a $20 decrease in my taxes."
Wagoner said Middleton community members would pay about $39 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.
Minidoka School District in Rupert, Idaho, is asking for a little more than $2 million per year for two years. Basin School District in Idaho City wants $792,000 per year for two years.
People can visit KTVB's 2023 Voter Guide for more information about Tuesday's election.
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