Several eastern Idaho schools going for supplemental levy in March election

Schools in eastern Idaho are prepping for next month’s election. Several school districts will be asking voters to renew supplemental levies on March 12.

Fremont School District 215, Idaho Falls School District 91, Ririe School District 252 and Snake River School District 52 are a few names to appear on ballots.

“We rely on the supplemental levy to provide all of our programs in one way or another,” said Chad Williams, the superintendent for Ririe School District 252. “If this supplemental levy does not pass we are going to have to look at our budget, and we’re going to have to figure out how to cut 6 percent.”

Ririe School District 252 has been renewing a supplemental levy for the past six years.

“Historically, we have been asking for a $220,000 supplemental levy. This year, we are asking for a $290,000 supplemental levy,” Williams said.

Williams said that the district wants to increase the classified salary for teachers and staff so that they can be competitive with surrounding school districts.

It will also help build the district’s fund balance to improve the district interest rate for future bonds.

Idaho Falls School District 91 is asking for patrons to approve a levy for $6.8 million, which is an amount that has not changed since 2003. The district’s levy has been in place for more than 30 years.

“Every two years, state law requires that we go back to our patrons and ask them to renew it,” said spokesperson for Idaho Falls School District 91 Margaret Wimborne.

Idaho Falls School District 91 said the levy is critical for salaries.

“It is even more important today because the labor market is very, very tight,” Wimborne said. “With the teacher shortage that we’re experiencing in Idaho, we’ve got to recruit and remain competitive in order to recruit and retain the best teachers.”

Districts going for a levy hope to see that patrons continue their support in this upcoming election.

“Our patrons have been very supportive of our supplemental levies, and they passed with flying colors each time,” Williams said. “We appreciate that they’re supportive of our supplemental levy so that we can insure that we offer all of the programs that we currently have.”

Supplemental levies require only a simple majority to pass.

About 81 percent of Idaho’s school districts have supplemental levies.

The election will be held March 12. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.