The Coeur d’Alene School District is asking voters to approve a $25 million supplemental levy to maintain current programming and operations. The five-year levy would provide approximately 16% of the district’s budget.
If approved, the levy would generate an estimated $5 million annually to help cover operating costs like teacher and staff salaries, school bus routes, textbooks and supplies. The money would also fund music, arts, athletic and extracurricular programs.
Superintendent Steven Cook said the levy funds are critical to maintain current class sizes, programs and services for the district’s nearly 10,000 students. Without the levy, the district would likely face cuts to staffing, programs and resources.
The Levy Supplements State Funding
Idaho consistently ranks near the bottom in per-pupil funding for K-12 schools. Coeur d’Alene is one of many Idaho districts that rely on supplemental levies to make up the difference between state funding and actual costs of operating schools.
Levy Funds Have Remained Flat Despite Cost Increases
While the cost of running the district has risen, the amount generated by Coeur d’Alene’s expiring supplemental levy has remained flat at $5 million annually since 2018. The proposed $25 million levy would not increase taxes but would simply renew funding at the current level.
Ballots Will Be Mailed Next Month
Ballots for the levy election will be mailed to registered voters in the Coeur d’Alene School District in early November. To pass, the levy requires a supermajority of 66.7% approval.
Approving the levy would ensure Coeur d’Alene schools can maintain current staffing and programming to benefit students for the next five years. District officials are encouraging families and community members to support the levy to provide a quality education for local children.
The district is seeking a $25 million supplemental levy over five years.
The levy would generate around $5 million annually to cover operating costs like teacher salaries, school bus routes, textbooks, supplies, and programs like music, arts, athletics and extracurricular activities.
Idaho ranks low in per-pupil funding, so districts rely on supplemental levies to make up the difference between state funding and actual operating costs.
The district’s expiring supplemental levy has generated $5 million annually since 2018. The new levy would renew funding at that same level, not increasing taxes.
Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in the Coeur d’Alene School District in early November.
The levy requires a supermajority of 66.7% approval from voters to pass.
The district has nearly 10,000 students across its schools.
Superintendent Steven Cook said the levy funds are critical to maintain current class sizes, programs and services for students.
Without the levy, the district would likely have to make cuts to staffing, programs and resources.
Officials are encouraging community members to support the levy to provide a quality education for local children.