May ballot will include school levy

Coeur d’Alene voters will decide a $31 million school levy in May that would rebuild one middle school, build a new elementary school and provide money for property and technology.

The Coeur d’Alene School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a recommendation to put the $31 million levy on the May 20 ballot.

Of that amount, just more than $19 million would be used to replace Lakes Middle School, $7.9 million would go to build a new elementary on Northshire property, $2.4 million would be allocated to purchase property and $1.6 million would be earmarked for technology.

The district already has $4.5 million set aside of the Lakes Middle School project. At 930 N. 15th St., the school was built in 1952 and has never undergone major renovations. About 670 students in grades six through eight attend.

The last Coeur d’Alene School District levy, placed before voters in 2006, failed. It was for $40 million.

Two projects included in that levy – replacing Winton Elementary School and renovating Borah Elementary School – are not part of the levy that will go before voters in May.