Post Falls approves levy recommendation

POST FALLS - Post Falls voters will consider a supplemental school levy amount of $2.615 million per year for two years when they go to the polls on March 8.

The school board on Monday night unanimously approved Superintendent Jerry Keane's recommended amount, which will increase taxes by $12 per year for the owner of a $184,000 home.

"We have to keep our eyes on the prize, and the prize is our students," said board member Donagene Turnbow. "If this levy doesn't pass, I don't know how we'll be able to maintain what we have."

A vote of at least 50 percent is needed for the proposal to pass.

The district, like most, has had to ask voters to supplement the state's appropriation with a levy for at least the past 25 years. The money has been used to prop up technology, curriculum, maintenance and other programs.

However, this is the first time in more than a decade that the district has proposed an amount that would raise taxes.

Board member Dave Paul said he believes the amount is both warranted and needed.

"The district has done everything in its power to tighten its belts," Paul said. "As a board, we need to do everything we can to maintain programs. Now we'll let the citizens decide. I believe the increase is conservative and was thought through.

"Post Falls has a good track record of supporting schools, and we think this is something that the community can support. If everyone stretches a little bit, everybody wins."

Post Falls' existing levy of $1.735 million per year for two years expires at the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter on Monday said that he's proposing a status quo education budget, and Post Falls School Superintendent Jerry Keane said the levy amount was built on limited to no cuts.

"As we planned our proposal, we were hoping to get close to a flat (state) proposal," Keane said.

Keane and the board said the Post Falls levy amount is based on being able to continue to provide quality education programs without hitting taxpayers too hard during the recession.

The district's budget has been cut by $3 million over the past two years - from $29.6 million in 2009 to $26.6 million this year. As a result, across-the-board cuts occurred.

The district will also see a reduction of $880,000 in federal funds going in to the next budget cycle. The funds supported salaries for several certified and non-certified employees.

Keane said if the levy fails, the district will face staff layoffs, which it has been able to avoid. The district has not added positions or increased salaries during the recession.

"We've been tightening our belts for at least the last 10 years," Turnbow said. "But we're a district that continues to grow, and if we don't pass this levy, it will be detrimental to our students."

Lakeland will not be floating a proposal as it's in the middle of its two-year levy.