Jefferson school district to seek bond approval

The Jefferson School Board in Rigby will ask voters to approve a $36 million building bond issue at the polls August 28.

Because some previous bonds are maturing, the district claims it will be able to pay for the new bond without any increase to existing school tax levies. The district also notes that it will qualify for subsidized bond payments from the State Bond Levy Equalization Program. That could provide as much as $1.75 million to offset taxpayer costs.

The plan would build a new elementary school on the east side of the school district and expand Harwood and Midway Elementary schools. The district would re-purpose Farnsworth Elementary School as an additional middle school, enabling the district to ease enrollment at Rigby Middle School.

The bond would also include funding for an additional paved parking lot at Rigby High School and a new playground at Roberts Elementary.

School officials said the additions are needed to stay ahead of enrollment growth. The school district said it experienced a 5.8 percent increase (324 students) last year alone.