Board To Consider Levy For New School

Later this month, the Coeur d’Alene school board will consider a plan to run a two-year, $5-million-per-year supplemental levy election on May 7.

The school district would use the money to build a third middle school.

The last two attempts to pass a bond issue for a middle school as well as make improvements to Coeur d’Alene High School and Dalton Elementary failed.

A supplemental levy needs only a simple majority vote to pass. Bond issues take a two-thirds majority vote to pass.

School district administrators considered running a three-year special plant facilities levy, at $3.3 million per year, but decided to recommend the supplemental levy instead.

Assistant Superintendent Dave Teater said the district would be able to build the school within two years with a supplemental levy. Both Canfield and Lakes middle schools are overcrowded. A third middle school is needed as soon as possible, educators say.

Teater estimated that the supplemental levy would cost the average taxpayer $10.33 per month for two years.

The school board may decide on the proposed election at its Feb. 26 meeting.

, DataTimes