St. Maries voters to decide on levy

The polls will be open Tuesday in St. Maries as voters consider an $850,000 supplemental levy the school district is floating before them. The measure will help plug a $1.37 million budget shortfall anticipated for next year. But even with successful passage of the proposed one-year levy, an additional $520,000 will still need to be slashed from the budget.

The polls will be open Tuesday in St. Maries as voters consider an $850,000 supplemental levy the school district is floating before them.

The measure will help plug a $1.37 million budget shortfall anticipated for next year.

But even with successful passage of the proposed one-year levy, an additional $520,000 will still need to be slashed from the budget.

"Due to decreased enrollment as well as decreased state funding, the district is still facing serious cuts that will affect all schools and departments," said Superintendent Dave Cox.

The district's state revenues will drop 12.4 percent next year, a combination of the 8.5 percent cut in state education funding ordered by the Legislature, and a 3.9 percent reduction due to declining enrollment.

Salaries, benefits and extracurricular activities are all on the table to be considered for possible reductions.

District administrators have already volunteered to reduce their contracts for next year by 6.5 percent, reflecting a $22,000 reduction.

Maintaining instructional time for the district's 1,028 students is the trustees' highest priority, Cox said.

The proposed levy rate is $1.68 per $1,000 of taxable property, in addition to the $1.59 per $1,000 in school taxes already being paid by property owners.

If voters approve the levy, the owner of a $150,000 home, with a homeowner's exemption applied, will pay an additional $125.88 in school taxes for the year.

"The levy will support replacing old and outdated student textbooks, outdated student computers, a school bus, needed maintenance of school buildings and facilities, and academic programs and student activities," Cox said.

A portion of the expected shortfall will be held to be used in the event the Legislature orders a mid-year holdback during the next school year.

The district is comprised of five rural schools, including one 28 miles south in Fernwood, the UpRiver School, which serves 100 elementary students. High school students in the Avery School District are also served by the St. Maries Joint School District.

In the last three years, the district has seen reductions of more than $1 million.

General fund reductions last year were $654,877, leaving this year's budget at $7.3 million.

Like other districts in the state, St. Maries is operating under the statewide financial emergency declared by the Legislature earlier this year.

The move enables districts to negotiate salary freezes and reductions in pay or benefits within teachers' contracts, something Idaho law does not allow without declaration of a financial emergency.

Salaries and benefits for the district's 162 employees represent 85 percent of the annual budget.

Since 2008, the district has made more than $1 million in reductions in administration, teaching staff, aides, coaches and travel.

Some of those cuts include the reduction of the transportation director's position to a half-time position, and the elimination of a full-time principal at UpRiver School, where administrative duties have been assumed by a lead teacher who is also a classroom teacher.

Since last year, at another one of its schools, Heyburn Elementary, the district has not staffed physical education, art or music instructors, with classroom teachers now providing those programs.

Before Tuesday, patrons may vote by absentee ballot at the district office, 720 Main Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the following places:

Benewah County Courthouse

Benewah Community Center

UpRiver School

Emida Community Center

Federal Building Conference Room

Information: 245-2579