Idaho voters support school levies

Voters approved supplemental maintenance and operation levies in four north central Idaho school districts Tuesday night.

In the Potlatch School District, a one-year, $1.5 million supplemental levy barely squeaked by, receiving 387 yes votes, or 50.2 percent, to 384 no votes, or 49.8 percent, according to unofficial results. Levies require a 50 percent simple majority to pass in Idaho. Levies also passed in the Highland, Genesee and Ken-

drick school districts Tuesday.

"I'm very happy that we have the support and individuals go out to the polls," said Potlatch Superintendent Jeff Cirka. "We're very happy with the results."

The levy will take effect during the 2013-14 school year and is an increase of approximately $190,000 from the current levy. Taxpayers will see a charge of approximately $6.58 per $1,000 of taxable value, an increase of 49 cents.

In the Highland School District, a $499,000 supplemental levy received 121 yes votes and 103 no votes, passing by 54 percent, according to unofficial results. The levy will also take effect during the 2013-14 school year.

"We're very thankful that the community continues to support Highland through the levy, and we will put this money to good use," said Superintendent Cindy Orr.

The cost to taxpayers is approximately $4.10 per $1,000 of taxable value, an increase of approximately 50 cents from the current levy.

"We couldn't count on the Legislature restoring all the funding they had taken away, so we needed the additional funding to continue the programs and activities at the school," Orr said of the increase.

Genesee School District voters also approved a one-year, $935,000 supplemental levy. It received 142 yes votes to 68 no votes, passing by 68 percent, according to unofficial results. The levy will take effect during the 2013-14 school year. The cost to taxpayers is approximately $5.72 per $1,000 of assessed value. It is a renewal of the current levy, so taxpayers will not see an increase or decrease in their rates.

In the Kendrick School District, voters gave the thumbs-up to a one-year, $825,000 supplemental levy that will take effect during the 2013-14 school year. The levy received 157 yes votes to 79 no votes, passing by 67 percent, according to unofficial results. The levy is an increase of $35,000 from the current levy due to significant cuts in state and federal funding, said Superintendent Cal Spangler. The levy constitutes approximately 30 percent of the district's budget, he said, and funds general operations including salaries, utilities and supplies.

Taxpayers will pay approximately $6.82 per $1,000 of taxable value, an increase of approximately 9 cents from the current levy.

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Gaboury may be contacted at kgaboury@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2275. Follow him on Twitter @KevinGaboury.