COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — North Idaho's three largest school districts will not pursue emergency levies for the 2024-25 school year.
Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls school districts did not reach the enrollment numbers necessary to qualify. Although the Lakeland Joint School District did qualify, its leaders have opted not to go for emergency levy funding.
Idaho's school boards may request emergency fund levies upon all taxable properties in their districts after certifying needs to county commissioners before the second Monday in September each year.
Average daily attendance must be tallied during the first three days of school to confirm emergency levy eligibility, according to Idaho Code. If the number of students in the current school year is higher than the previous year, school districts may levy emergency funds without taxpayer approval to cover costs of supporting the education of those extra unexpected students.
Post Falls started last school year with 5,871 students and began this school year with 5,814 students.
"We used to expect to qualify for emergency levies as our enrollment was increasing 1-1.5% each year," Superintendent Dena Naccarato said. "The last three years we have seen a decline in enrollment."
Projections for this school year anticipated a decline of more than 300 students following two years of decreasing enrollment, Coeur d'Alene School District Executive Director of Community Relations Stefany Bales reported.
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