District finalizes ballot measure for March levy

PONDERAY — During their first meeting of the new year, Lake Pend Oreille School District trustees finalized the ballot measure for the March 14 supplemental levy. 

Last month, the district approved a $17 million supplemental levy amount. The district runs a supplemental levy every two years as it covers one-third of the district's operations. The current $15.7 million levy expires in June.

During Tuesday's meeting, Lisa Hals, the district's chief financial and operations officer, presented trustees with a sample ballot as was promised at the last meeting in December. While trustees approved it, a couple minor adjustments will be made on the final ballot, including a possible punctuation error and a line item that states "Continued support for Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School track program." It should state that it is for the school's "Experiential Learning Track" so as not be confused with an athletic program.

The district seeks to levy uneven dollar amounts for the two-year term at $8.3 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, and ending June 30, 2018, and $8.7 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019. The cost to taxpayers per $100,000 of net taxable value on their home is estimated at $180 the first year and $184 the second year.

The ballot is unusual in that it specifically outlines the areas and programs in the district where the funds will be used.

"The biggest concern that we had heard was a lack of a line item, it was too general for most people's taste, so we have responded accordingly," said District Superintendent Shawn Woodward.

Trustee Matt Mire said he researched other school districts and breaking down line items in a ballot measure "doesn't see to be the norm."

"I think it's a step in the right direction," Mire said.

The line items voters will see on the ballot include:

• Implementation of English language arts review K-12; professional development and instruction coaching; instructional materials and supplies; $253,000 per year.

• One-hundred percent of student activities and extracurricular funding; operating budget, transportation and personnel for: athletics, cheer/dance; academic competitions, music, drama/newspaper, yearbook; $765,409 per year.

• Approximately 26 percent of funding of staff; maintaining educationally sound class sizes and secondary level electives; approximately 165 full-time staff positions; $5,538,037 in the first year and $5,889,250 in the second year.

• Technology: Implementation of Wide Area Fiber Optic; internal network infrastructure upgrade in Year one; replacement and maintenance of technology hardware; staffing of entire department; software licenses; $1,079,695 in the first year and $1,093,067 in the second year.

• Teaching, Learning and Student Wellness: Additional section of full day kindergarten; continued support for Clark Fork Junior/Senior High School (experiential learning) track program, elementary counseling; certified nursing assistant; $119,700 per year.

• School facility maintenance: preventative and upgrades; increased utilities costs; establish a facility fund reserve; $543,659 in the first year and $579,074 in the second year.

All supplemental levy information, including the ballot measure, can be found on the district’s website at lposd.org/board-of-trustees/supplemental-levy.