Research, ask questions and be an informed voter

We need to be informed taxpayers and parents so we can vote responsibly.

There’s an election Tuesday that will have an impact on your taxes and local school funding. We all need to take time to investigate what’s best for our families and our communities so we can become informed voters.

On November 7, voters in five school districts will decide the fate of supplemental levies. The largest levy is a two-year, $18.75 million proposal in Nampa. Other communities will decide on plant facilities levies and bond issues. Click here for a rundown of school elections statewide.

Idaho’s supplemental school levy bill is at a record high — nearly $200 million — with 93 of 115 school districts collecting.

If you are in one of the districts that is holding an election Tuesday, do you know what your school district plans to do with the money? Does it have a specific purpose?

Are you familiar with your district’s budget? State law requires districts to make their budgets easily accessible on their websites for parents and patrons to review. I looked around and in a few clicks I was able to find 2017 budgets for the Blackfoot, West Ada, Kimberly, Moscow and Idaho Falls school districts.

Have you been able to find your district’s budget on the website? Will you be voting on Tuesday? What questions do you have about school elections?

More voting information can be found at Idaho votes.

Melanie Flake

Melanie Flake

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