An uptick in the number of children attending Coeur d'Alene public schools this year will generate new property tax revenue for the school district. Trustees voted unanimously Friday to certify an emergency levy of $658,341. In doing so, they exercised elective taxing authority granted under state law that allows boards in growing districts to seek property tax relief at the start of each school year, without voter approval, to cover the costs of educating additional students for whom the district is not yet receiving a state appropriation. Emergency levy eligibility is determined by comparing the average daily attendance of the first three days of school with the previous year's numbers. This year, 149 more students showed up for the first few days of school, with an average daily attendance of 10,317. "Our recommendation is...for the full amount. It is entirely up to you as a board where to go with it," said Superintendent Matt Handelman, before the board discussion on the matter/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Are school patrons being forced to pay more and more in levy costs because the Idaho Legislature doesn't properly fund public schools?