Levy Election Set For New District

The fledgling West Bonner County School District next month will ask voters to provide some extra dollars for school operations.

The levy election will be the first time the newly formed district has gone to voters for a tax increase.

The district was formed last year when voters in the previous Bonner County School District approved a measure to split the district in two.

“The voters, when they decided to split, said they wanted to improve the district,” said West Bonner schools Superintendent Joe Malletta. “If we’re going to improve it, we definitely need to spend some money in some major areas.”

At its last meeting, the school board unanimously approved the two-year, $362,000 per year levy election, to be scheduled some time in August.

“There’s a strong sentiment from board that we can run our school programs under state-allotted funds,” Malletta said.

That’s possible if the district wants only to maintain its programs, Malletta said. But anything more will require extra funds, school officials agreed.

The district has these plans for the proposed levy income;

$40,000 per year will go toward testing;

$42,000 will pay the salary and benefits of a technology coordinator for the schools;

$50,000 per year is dedicated to new computer purchases for computer labs in all five schools;

$20,000 per year is for staff training;

$10,000 would pay for summer work on the curriculum;

$35,000 each year is for textbooks;

$25,000 is dedicated to the start-up of an alternative high school;

$40,000 per year will help pay for new buses;

$100,000 will go toward facility improvements and down payments on new property.

With the split, the west district was left without any of the central school district facilities. Now the district is leasing office space in downtown Priest River. The administration is hoping to find a location for a permanent office and new bus barn, as well as a permanent alternative school, Malletta said.

School officials have not yet calculated the impact of the levy on the average taxpayer.