WBCSD addresses myths surrounding district levy
Editor's note: This story was amended on Feb. 5 to correct the number for the annual levy rate and clarify a statement regarding potential pay raises for staff.
With the upcoming West Bonner County School District levy coming up on March 9, school district officials said there is a lot of misinformation being spread.
The supplemental levy would have an annual rate of $3,432,579 per year for two years, and would help pay for services including necessary facility projects and a potential 3% salary increase for classified staff, a 3.5% increase for certified staff, a $1,200 increase in admin salaries and a 2.6% increase for extracurricular siphons.
If approved, the levy would cost taxpayers $146.94 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value, before exemptions.
To help sort out the facts from the myths, WBCSD Superintendent Paul Anselmo recently provided the facts for common misperceptions circling around the community about the levy.
- Myth: If the levy passes my taxes will go up.
Anselmo: The truth is resident’s tax rate will stay the same. Due to the sale of the Priest Lake properties that were previously under state leases, we can generate more money without raising the tax rate.
- Myth: The state funds the schools, we shouldn’t have to.
Anselmo: The truth is the state does provide funds to schools, however, it is not enough when you consider how many unfunded mandates our tasked to our schools. Over 80% of districts in Idaho run a supplemental levy.
- Myth: Teachers make enough money, they don’t need a raise the levy will give them.
Anselmo: The truth is the intent of the levy is not to provide huge raises to our teachers, but rather to provide the basic services we need to run our district. We do strive to be competitive in our wages for both certified and classified employees so we can maintain a highly qualified staff.
- Myth: The school never does the maintenance they say the levy will cover.
Anselmo: The truth is in my seven years as superintendent of WBCSD, we have done ALL of the projects that were earmarked for completion with Levy dollars.
- Myth: Our schools are fine, we don’t need to pass a levy.
Anselmo: The truths the levy provides 25% of our budget, many cuts would have to be made to our services for our students without it. Evidence has shown a direct link between strong schools and strong communities. We want to maintain a strong stable school system for both our students and the community.