Supplemental levies pass — but a Sandpoint levy fails

Supplemental school levies passed in three districts across Idaho Tuesday.

But in Sandpoint, a $55.1 million plant facilities levy fell far short of passage.

Here’s the roundup from Tuesday elections:

Lake Pend Oreille: A plant facilities levy received only 35 percent support. The six-year levy required a 55 percent supermajority to pass.

The district had hoped to use the money for several projects, from furnishing and equipping a new middle school to adding four classrooms at Sandpoint High School, which would replace portables on the campus.

Madison: In the Rexburg-based district, voters kept a two-year, $3.99 million supplemental levy on the books.

The levy received 81 percent support.

Madison has said it will use the money to continue upgrading computer labs, replacing textbooks and installing security cameras, purchase six buses and restore two instructional days cut during the recession.

Cassia County: Voters renewed a two-year, $1,548,488 supplemental levy. District officials said the money was needed to accommodate enrollment growth, cover rising health insurance premiums and replace the $140,000 the district had collected in student class fees.

An official vote count was unavailable Wednesday morning. The Twin Falls Times-News reported the levy passed with nearly two-thirds support.

Wilder: The second time around, Canyon County voters said yes to a two-year, $500,000 supplemental levy.

Tuesday’s levy received 54 percent support.

An identical levy failed in May.

 

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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