WBCSD prepares levy language

PRIEST RIVER — Two weeks after West Bonner County School District trustees voted 3-2 to bring a two year, $2.35 million-per-year levy to voters, staff and officials came together to finalize the line items that will appear on the May 20 ballot. 

Trustees voted unanimously in a special meeting Wednesday to include the following items in the ballot question: student enrichment activities, school and classroom resources, additional student classes, funding for teacher and support staff jobs, school operating expenses, bus acquisition and school health services. 

The board also authorized staff to finalize budget amounts for the items that will collectively equal the $2.35 million levy sum. 

The May 2025 election will be the third consecutive occasion WBCSD is seeking levy dollars. Attempts to pass a one year, $4.68 million and one-year, $1.13 million in May and November 2024, respectively, were denied by voters.  

During the March 12 meeting, trustees repeatedly emphasized that another rejection will likely force the district to close Idaho Hill and Priest Lake elementary schools. 

Superintendent Kim Spacek said that if voters approve the levy, funds will only be spent on items the district needs to sustain itself. 

“The state funds 70-80% of the budget, and they rely on the community to pick up 20-30%,” said Spacek. “We're not going to ask for something we don't need.” 

Spacek also emphasized that if voters approve a levy, an estimated $500,000 in state funds the district expects to receive next year through House Bill 292 — a property tax relief law passed in 2023 — will be used to partially “pay down” the levy and shrink its actual burden on district taxpayers by about 20%. 

“I'm not sure if that's general knowledge, but that's how it works,” Spacek said. “It's worth repeating over and over and over for people to understand.” 

The district must submit a final ballot question to Bonner County by March 31. To pass, the measure will approval from a simple majority of voters (50% plus one vote). 

“I just can't reiterate enough how important it is for us to get out and educate people and let them know what exactly we're asking for, what it’s going to do for our school district,” board chair Ann Yount said. “That's on all of us.”