Copyright Lewiston Morning Tribune
Six north central Idaho school districts are asking patrons to agree to supplemental levies. Among that group are two new districts formed after Camas Prairie and Upper Clearwater River voters decided to split the Mountain View School District this spring. Across the districts, the majority of the levy requests were to pay salaries and benefits — an average of 56% across all districts. Pay took up 66% and 67% of the levies in Orofino and Kendrick, respectively. Half of Genesee’s request would pay teachers and other staff, with Troy committing 52% to pay. The two new school districts, Grangeville School District and Clearwater Valley School District, have smaller portions of their levy share headed toward pay: 44% in Grangeville and 47% for Clearwater Valley. However, both district’s levies included about 18% for construction-related costs — such as replacing interior doors, sewer system work, paving and other current needs — that other school districts aren’t levying for. The school levies on this year’s general election ballot include: Joint School District 171 is asking for a $2,685,000, two-year, supplemental levy to pay staff, for operations and upkeep, for extracurricular and sports programs, and for safety and security. The levy would start July 1, 2026. The cost is $248.85 per $100,000 of taxable value. The school district includes high schools in Weippe and Orofino, the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy in Pierce and elementary schools in Peck and Cavendish. Genesee Joint School District 282 is asking for a $1,185,000, one-year supplemental levy. The levy would cover staff pay, extracurricular activities, technology, transportation and upkeep, and special education. The cost is $402 per $100,000 taxable value and would start July 1 next year. The levy replaces an existing one set to expire June 30, 2026, and would not increase taxes. Kendrick Joint School District 283 seeks a $795,000, two-year supplemental levy. The levy would pay staff, cover security and technology, pay for operations and upkeep, transportation, supplies and curriculum, and extracurricular programs. The cost is $335.47 per $100,000 taxable value and would start July 1 next year. The levy replaces a levy set to expire June 30, 2026, and would be an increase of $18.98 per $100,000 taxable value. Troy School District 287 is asking for a $995,000, two-year, supplemental levy. The levy would cover staff pay, operations and upkeep, and extra-curricular and sports programs. The cost is $328.79, per $100,000 taxable value and would start July 1, next year The levy replaces one set to expire June 30, 2026 and would not increase taxes. Grangeville School District 246 is asking for a $1,656,000, two-year levy. The levy would cover staff pay, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, operating expenses, curriculum and technology, all-day kindergarten, an elementary library, SRS funds (which would pay for construction projects such as paving, replacing interior school doors and plumbing), and custodial supplies. The cost is $180 per $100,000 taxable value and starts July 1 of next year. Clearwater Valley School District 245 seeks an $812,000 one-year levy. The levy would cover staff pay, extra- and co-curricular activities, operating expenses, curriculum and technology, all-day kindergarten, elementary library, SRS funds (which would pay for current capital projects such as paving, replacement of schools doors and plumbing), and custodial supplies. This cost is $115 per $100,000 of taxable value and would begin July 1 of next year. Ferguson can be reached at dferguson@lmtribune.com.
