Voters OK permanent LPOSD levy

SANDPOINT — A request to make the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s $12.7 million levy permanent was approved by voters on Tuesday.

The measure narrowly passed at just over 51 percent, with 4,256 in favor and 4,034 against, according to the unofficial results. Results will not be official until canvassed.

“Thank you LPOSD community for stabilizing educational funding for the future,” LPOSD Superintendent Tom Albertson said in an email to the Daily Bee on Wednesday. “Through trust, a common vision, and a collaborative effort we can continue providing opportunities for students, guiding them to be prepared for the future. I look forward to leading this work.”

Out of the 19,708 eligible voters in the district, 8,333 ballots were cast for a turnout of 42.28 percent in the LPOSD election.

The two-year, $25.4 million levy was approved by voters in March and makes up 35 percent of the district’s general fund budget for fiscal year 2020, which began July 1. With the passing of the measure, the district can levy up to $12.7 million per year indefinitely. While the board could lower the amount in future years if state funding provided for it, they can not levy more without going back to the voters for approval.

While the measure did pass, there is a question circulating as to whether the ballot language violates state statute. According to a story on Idaho Education News, Idaho lawmakers passed a law last year requiring districts to include an estimated breakdown of a measure’s cost per $100,000 of taxable assessed property values. The article calls into question if LPOSD’s measure violates this law as the information was not included on the ballot.

The statute, which can be read online at bit.ly/33oU5u1, states that taxing districts must add the language for any levy request, however, LPOSD passed its levy in March. It is not clear whether they would need to restate the information to extend an existing levy. The Daily Bee has sent inquiries to the Bonner County and state election departments, but did not hear back as of deadline on Wednesday. Albertson commented only that the school board acknowledges there is an inquiry into the Nov. 5 ballot language.

“The school district submitted a proposed ballot to the county within the legal time frame,” Albertson said. “The board believes that the school district has complied with all applicable law.”

LPOSD also had a contested race for Zone 4 trustee between incumbent Geraldine Lewis and challenger Tara Tribbett. Lewis took the lead with 1,088 votes over Tribbett’s 339.

“I am honored that the voters of zone 4 have put their trust in me to serve another 4 years,” Lewis said. “I am excited to continue the ongoing work of the district, and I encourage people to reach out if they have ideas or question.”

Tribbett did not respond to a request for comment as of deadline on Wednesday.

Of the 4,021 registered voters in Zone 4 of the district, 1,649 ballots were cast for a total turnout of 41.08 percent.

As the only declared candidate for LPOSD Zone 1, incumbent Purley Decker was automatically re-elected without appearing on the ballot. In school district elections, unopposed candidates are not listed on the ballot.

In the West Bonner County School District, Zone 1 incumbent Margaret Hall won with 190 votes, while her opponent Lesa Souza garnered 131 votes.

“I would like to thank everyone who voted in this last election and for the ongoing support of the community,” Hall said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the upcoming board, staff, students, parents, and community to make WBCSD a great district where all students can and do excel.”

Souza did not respond to a request for comment as of deadline on Wednesday.

Of the 1,351 registered voters in Zone 1 of the district, 322 ballots were cast for a total turnout of 23.83 percent.

In WBCSD Zone 3, Troy Reinbold defeated incumbent Bruce Hollett, 133 to 95 in the unofficial results. Neither candidate responded to a request for comment on Wednesday.

Of the 1,528 registered voters in Zone 3 of the district, 230 ballots were cast for a total turnout of 15.05 percent.

Todd Sudick was the sole candidate the Zone 5 seat currently held by Samuel “Ranger Rick” Hall, who is not running for re-election. As such, Sudick’s name did not appear on the ballot.

In the Lakeland Joint School District, Randi Bain lost to incumbent Rena Olmstead in Zone 1. In Kootenai County, Olmstead had 245 votes and one in Bonner County for a total of 246. Bain received 174 votes in Kootenai County and five in Bonner County for a total of 179.

In Zone 2, Ramona Grissom defeated incumbent John Shaffer, receiving 342 votes in Kootenai County but none in Bonner County. Shaffer received 270 votes in Kootenai County and one in Bonner County.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.