Election results: Repeat levies pass; Minidoka, Kellogg bond issues fail

The second time around, voters said yes to supplemental levies in West Bonner County and St. Maries.

But they said no, again, to a Minidoka County bond issue.

Across Idaho, voters considered $53.9 million in bonds and levies for 17 school districts. Here are the results:

Minidoka County: A $21 million bond issue. Failed. A second run at a bond issue received 54 percent support, falling short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to pass. In March, an identical proposal received 62 percent support.

Minidoka County again sought the money for a long list of projects, including six new classrooms at Paul Elementary School and West Minico Middle School; six classrooms and a gym at Heyburn Elementary School; two classrooms at Mt. Harrison High School; and front entrance security projects at several schools.

Kellogg: A $7.9 million bond issue. Failed. The North Idaho district received 63 percent support, falling short of the two-thirds requirement. Kellogg had hoped to use bond proceeds to build additions to Pinehurst Elementary School and Kellogg Middle School and work on repairs and safety and technology upgrades throughout the district.

West Bonner County: Two-year, $6 million supplemental levy. Passed. This time, the levy squeaked by with 52 percent support, garnering the simple majority needed to pass. The levy has been in place since 2013, and accounts for about 25 percent of the district’s budget, paying for all-day kindergarten, a school resource officer, classroom curriculum and extracurricular activities.

St. Maries: Two-year, $4.15 million supplemental levy. Passed. After falling short in March, this repeat levy passed with 69 percent support. District officials say the levy covers all-day kindergarten, extracurriculars and transportation, and allows the North Idaho district to hire staff to reduce overall class sizes. An identical levy has been on the books since 2015.

Mountain View: One-year, $3.09 million supplemental levy. Passed. Voters approved the beleaguered north-central Idaho district’s levy on a 53 percent vote. The sprawling Idaho County district still faces a range of challenges — including a projected shortfall of up to $2 million, and tense labor negotiations that have triggered a pair of lawsuits. Nonetheless, voters were willing to boost Mountain View’s levy. The district has collected $2.66 million per year for the past six years.

Emmett: Two-year, $3 million supplemental levy. Passed, with 60 percent support. An increase from the two-year, $2.8 million levy voters approved in 2017.

Swan Valley: five-year, $2.1 million plant facilities levy. Failed. Voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to fund an expanded school gym and a heating system upgrade. The proposal needed a 55 percent majority to pass; it received 15 percent support.

Kootenai: Two-year, $1.5 million supplemental levy. Passed, with 72 percent support.

Bear Lake County: Two-year, $1.3 million supplemental levy. Passed, with 66 percent support. A reduction from the two-year, $1.5 million levy voters approved in March 2017.

Whitepine: One-year, $880,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 65 percent support.

Salmon River: One-year, $525,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 78 percent support. 

Cambridge: Five-year, $500,000 plant facilities levy. Passed, with 68 percent support. The levy, which could be used for building repairs or land acquisition, required 55 percent approval.

Nezperce: One-year, $445,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 80 percent support.

Hagerman: Two-year, $400,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 52 percent support. An increase from the two-year, $300,000 levy voters approved in 2017.

Sugar-Salem: Two-year, $400,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 82 percent support.

Meadows Valley: Two-year, $378,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 77 percent support. An increase from the two-year, $306,000 levy voters approved two years ago.

Cottonwood: One-year, $325,000 supplemental levy. Passed, with 76 percent support.

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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