The Middleton School District will float a two-year, $3 million supplemental levy this November to keep up with staff, curriculum and maintenance costs. District trustees approved the levy with an unanimous vote at Monday night’s meeting.

The district last passed a supplemental levy in 2022.

The proposed levy is slated to cost district taxpayers $1.5 million per year for two years — averaging to about $38 per $100,000 in taxable income. If passed, the measure would replace the district’s current supplemental levy, which expires in June 2024, and also costs $38 per $100,000.

The levy would run from July 2024 to June 2026.

According to the district’s resolution, the $3 million ask would fund a range of district costs, from classified staff to extracurriculars. Here’s how it would be parceled out:

  • $500,000 for curriculum adoption
  • $386,000 for certified teachers
  • $354,000 for classified staff
  • $100,000 for building maintenance
  • $80,000 for a school resource officer
  • $45,000 for pay to participate activities
  • $35,000 for transportation

And Nicholas Miller of Boise law firm Hawley Troxell, outlined the levy in a legal context for trustees Monday night.

After the 2023 Legislature nixed the March school election, one of four annual dates available for districts to float bonds and levies, Middleton decided to expedite its levy election, which it would normally hold in March. If it fails, Miller said, the district can try again in May or August, but there are concerns that the August date could be put on the chopping block as well.

“We’re doing the right thing to move this up to the November date,” Miller said.

Miller also assured trustees that the levy proposal complies with a legislative requirement to outline specific uses for the levy money, and reminded district officials that advocating for a levy is against the law — districts are limited to providing informational materials only.

The district will hold informational sessions about the levy in the coming months. More information can be viewed in Monday’s board documents.

The election will be held Nov. 7.

Boise School Board swears in new trustee

Boise trustees swore in Paul Bennion as the board’s newest trustee Monday night.

Bennion was selected from a pool of nine applicants to fill a seat left by former trustee Andy Hawes, who vacated his position in July.

Bennion is the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at the College of Idaho. He has had three kids attend Boise schools — two have graduated and one currently attends Boise High School.

Bennion’s seat will be up for reelection in 2024.

Source link