Voters approve WBCSD levy

PRIEST RIVER — West Bonner County School District voters overwhelming backed a $1.49 million supplemental levy, with more than 61 percent of those turning up at the polls voting for the measure.

Of the 5,635 registered voters 1,299 turned out to vote. There were 800 yes votes and 499 no votes.

“We are very thankful to our entire West Bonner County School District community for supporting our work to serve young people,” Superintendent Mike McGuire said.  He added, “with the continued deep cuts in Idaho state funding for education, local levy support is critical.”

Similar to the levy from a year ago, resolution 2010-001 will help the district maintain current resources and curriculums while counteracting a permanent state shortfall of $822,423.  The rate of the upcoming levy is set at 78 cents per thousand dollars compared to the 61 cents per thousand dollars for the current 2009-10 levy that totaled $1,153,719.

Priest River Elementary saw the strongest support with an approval rate of 74.10 percent, 186 to 65.  The Blanchard Grange polling station saw the strongest opposition, with only 40.7 percent voting to approve the levy, 35 to 51.

A majority of the levy — $822,423 — will go to cover the state budget shortfall. The rest will go to:

• School resource officer — $50,000

• Co-curricular/Extracurricular activities — $261,131

• Field trips — $8,000

• Library and school funds — $57,000

• Technology supplies — $70,000

• Facility improvements — $126,326

• Adequate Yearly Progress compliance — $20,000

• Gifted and Talented program — $6,000

• Curriculum — $56,000

• PRJH library technician — $14,933

• Emergency critical equipment replacement — $8,000