Tuesday’s historic primary election included some $97 million in school levies and bond issues, most of which was rejected by voters across the state.
The bond issues on the ballot failed in two districts, including $79 million request in Mountain Home. But voters did approve several levies.
A closer look at how things shook out Tuesday, from Teton to Nezperce:
Bond issues
Three bond issues failed, including Mountain Home’s measure, which would have funded construction of a new high school.
Just 46% of voters favored the measure. In Idaho, bond issues need a supermajority of supporting votes to pass.
Meanwhile, two bond issues priced at $1.5 million apiece tanked in the Ririe School District, in Rural East Idaho:
- A three-year, $1.5 million measure for construction of a maintenance and transportation building.
- A five-year, $1.5 million bond for various upgrades to facilities throughout the district.
Supplemental levies
Six districts combined to pass over $13.8 million in school levies. The Plummer-Worley district tallied the only loss, with its measure failing for the second straight time.
How school levies shook out on May 17:
- Whitepine: a one-year, $880,000 supplemental levy: Passed.
- Nezperce: a one-year $445,000 supplemental levy: Passed.
- Wendell: a two-year $1.2 million supplemental levy: Passed.
- Cottonwood: a one-year, $250,000 supplemental levy: Passed.
- Plummer-Worley: a two-year, $1,254,000 supplemental levy: Failed.
- Genesee: a one-year, $1,185,000 supplemental levy: Passed.
- Teton: a two-year, $9,864,000 supplemental levy: Passed.
