Voter Guide: March 2020 school levies

Basin School District (Idaho City)

• Supplemental Levy
• $450,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Basin School District No. 72, Boise County, Idaho, be authorized to levy a renewal of a Supplemental Ler,y as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, in the amount of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($450,000.00) per year for two (2) years beginning July 1, 2020 ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the schools of the District, as provided in the Resolution of the Board of Trustees of Basin School District No. 72, as adopted on December 17, 2019; which levy will result in an estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer of the proposed levy in the form of a tax of One Hundred Six and 65/100 Dollars ($106.65) per One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.

Caldwell School District

• Supplemental Levy 
• $4,100,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 132, Canyon County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a supplemental levy, as provided in Section 33-802 (3), Idaho Code, in the amount of four million on hundred thousand dollars ($4,100,000) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on January 13, 2020?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $163 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value based on current conditions and without regard to the taxes currently levied for other purposes. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy that costs $99 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, and the current levy will expire when the proposed devy goes into effect. The District has a bond levy that currently costs $166 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, which is expected to decline to $102 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Therefore, the proposed supplemental levy produces no net change in the combined costs per $100,000 of taxable assessed value.

Middleton School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $1,500,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 134, Canyon County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy, as provided in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, in the amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on January 13, 2020?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $94 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The proposed levy will replace the District’s existing supplemental levy which currently costs $82 per $100,000, resulting in a net increase of $12 per $100,000 of assessed value per year. The District has a bond levy that currently costs $309 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, which is expected to decline to $292 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Therefore, the proposed supplemental levy produces a decrease in the combined costs per $100,000 of taxable assessed value of $5.

Nampa School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $12,895,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot Question:  

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 131, Canyon County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of twelve million eight hundred ninety five thousand and no/dollars ($12,895,000) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purposes of maintaining and operating the schools of the District to include the following: Maintaining current programs and services; maintaining certificated teaching positions; enhancing and updating technology and curriculum; providing additional support for activity, athletic, music and performing arts programs; providing for building maintenance, upgrades and repairs; providing for playground upgrades; providing for other operational costs; and providing for an annual independent audit to verify funds were spent as approved by voters; as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 17, 2019.

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $202 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Based on current conditions, the District's existing supplemental levy, which expires July 1, 2020, has an annual cost of $147 per $100,000 of assessed value per year. Effective July 1, 2020, the District's bond levy will decline by $120 per $100,000 of assessed value per year thus offsetting in full the increase in tax for the supplemental levy. The overall tax rate for the District will decline by $65 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Vallivue School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $4,500,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 139 (Vallivue), Canyon County, State of Idaho, be authorized to levy a supplemental levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, in the amount of up to four million five hundred thousand dollars ($4,500,000) each year for two years beginning fiscal year July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of paying the expenses of maintaining and operating the schools of the District as provided in the resolution of the Board of Trustees adopted on January 14, 2020?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $112 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy authorized in the same amount of $4,500,000 that cost $112 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value which will expire when the proposed levy goes into effect, so the proposed levy will not change the tax per $100,000 based on current conditions.

Cassia County Joint School District 

• Supplemental Levy
• $2,195,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Joint School District No. 151, Cassia, Oneida and Twin Falls Counties, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of two million one hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($2,195,000) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 19, 2019? 

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $105 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value; resulting in an increase of $28 per $100,000 of assessed value per year, based on current conditions. This increase in the proposed levy is expected to be fully offset by planned decreases in the District's bond repayment levy for the applicable years, resulting in no net change to the District's overall levy rate.

American Falls Joint School District 

• Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy
• $3,881,045 over six years
• Requires 55% majority to pass

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Joint School District No. 381 (American Falls), Power and Cassia Counties, State of Idaho (the "District"), be authorized and empowered, upon the affirmative vote of fifty-five percent (55%) of the electors of the District, to levy a School Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy for six (6) years in the respective amounts set forth below, for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020, and continuing each year through fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, for the purposes of financing construction, furnishing and equipping of schools and/or the improvement to any existing building for the District including, but not limited to, all lighting, heating, ventilation and sanitation facilities and equipment necessary to maintain said buildings and facilities; all as provided in the Resolution of the District's Board of Trustees adopted January 14, 2020?

• Year 1 $600,000
• Year 2 $618,000
• Year 3 $636,540
• Year 4 $655,636
• Year 5 $675,305
• Year 6 $695,564

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $68 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions and based on an average levy of $646,841 per year. 

Glenns Ferry Joint School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $325,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Glenns Ferry Joint School District #192, Elmore & Owyhee Counties, Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a supplemental levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, in the amount of $325,000 (Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars) each year for a period of two (2) years for a total of $650,000 (Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars) commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022 for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of operating the schools of the district as provided in the resolution of the Board of Trustees of Glenns Ferry Joint School District #192 adopted on January 8, 2020?

Valley School District (Hazelton)

• Supplemental Levy
• $300,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Valley School District #262 Jerome County, Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), in the amount of $300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Dollars) each year for two years for a total of $600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Dollars and no/100 Cents), for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the schools of the District for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2022. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy in the form of tax of $112.99 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, based on current conditions.

Glenns Ferry Joint School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $325,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Glenns Ferry Joint School District #192, Elmore & Owyhee Counties, Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a supplemental levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, in the amount of $325,000 (Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars) each year for a period of two (2) years for a total of $650,000 (Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars) commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022 for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of operating the schools of the district as provided in the resolution of the Board of Trustees of Glenns Ferry Joint School District #192 adopted on January 8, 2020?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $92.23 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy that costs $99.32 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, and the current levy will expire when the proposed levy goes into effect, so the proposed levy produces a net decrease of $7.09 per $100,000.

Buhl Joint School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $350,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Joint School District No. 412, Twin Falls and Gooding Counties, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of three hundred and fifty thousand and no/ dollars ($350,000.00) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 16, 2019.

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $54 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy authorized in the same amount of $350,000 that costs $54 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value which will expire when the proposed levy goes into effect, so the proposed levy will not change the tax per $100,000 based on current conditions. 

Castleford Joint School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $300,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Joint School District No. 417 Twin Falls and Owyhee Counties, Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a supplemental levy, as permitted by law, in the amount of $300,000.00, three hundred thousand dollars per year for two (2) years, for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the schools of the District for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $182.00 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. 

Filer School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $500,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 413, Twin Falls County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of five hundred thousand and no/ dollars ($500,000.00) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on December 10, 2019.

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $87 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. Currently, the District collects a supplemental levy authorized in the same amount of $500,000 that costs $87 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value which will expire when the proposed levy goes into effect, so the proposed levy will not change the tax per $100,000 based on current conditions. 

Hansen School District

• Plant Facilities Reserve Fund Levy
• $200,000 per year, for five years
• For maintaining, repairing, and improving school facilities and grounds
• Requires 55% majority to pass

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Hansen School District No. 415, Twin Falls County, Idaho be authorized and empowered to levy a plant facility levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-804, 33-804A, and 34-1401 Idaho Code for the amount of $200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand dollars) each year for five (5) years for a total of $1,000,000.00 (One Million dollars). If approved the estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer of the proposed levy, would be $120 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The purpose of the School Plant Facilities Fund Levy is to maintain, repair, and improve school facilities and grounds including but not limited to: renovation of the west wing of the elementary; maintain, remodel or repair any existing lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation and sanitation facilities and appliances; maintenance of parking lots and transportation needs as provided in the resolution of the Board of Trustees of Hansen School District No. 415 adopted on December 16, 2019. This will replace the existing School Plant Facility Levy in the amount of $100,000 per year that was passed in 2016 for five (5) years, but if this fails the Levy of 2016 will remain valid for $100,000 per year until 2021.

Kimberly School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $800,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of School District No. 414, Twin Falls County, State of Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a Supplemental Levy in the amount of eight hundred thousand ($800,000) per year for two (2) years, commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022, for the purpose of financing any lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the District; all as provided in the Resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees on January 16, 2020? 

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $144 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The proposed levy will replace the District's existing supplemental levy which currently costs $45 per $100,000. The District's Bond Levy will decrease by $33 per $100,000, and the District's Emergency Levy which currently costs $36 per $100,000 will expire, on July 1, 2020. The net effect to the District's expected overall levy rate, based on current conditions, is a $30 increase per $100,000 per year. 

Weiser School District

• Supplemental Levy
• $350,000 per year, for two years
• For maintaining and operating schools

Ballot question:

Shall the Board of Trustees of Weiser School District No. 431, Washington County, Idaho, be authorized and empowered to levy a supplemental levy, as permitted by law in Section 33-802(3), Idaho Code, three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) each year for two years for a total of seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) for the purpose of paying all lawful expenses of maintaining and operating the schools of the District for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2022 as provided in the resolution of the Weiser School District's Board of Trustees adopted on December 9, 2019?

The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $63.60 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.

Watch more Idaho politics:

See all of our latest political coverage in our YouTube playlist: