Lakeland sets levy amounts

RATHDRUM - The Lakeland School Board on Monday night unanimously finalized two levy proposals, setting up elections for voters to decide on March 13.

The supplemental levy, which would support maintenance and operations in the district, is for $4.95 million per year for two years.

The plant facility levy, used to help fund building repairs, buildings, equipment, buses and classroom furniture, is for $905,000 per year for 10 years.

The supplemental would replace an existing levy of $3.25 million per year for two years that is expiring this year.

Since 2008 Lakeland has seen a reduction in state funding of an estimated $766 per student, said Tom Taggart, the district's finance director. The total is in excess of $4 million per year.

"This amount doesn't factor in the reductions and/or elimination of other state and federal funds," Taggart said. "We are not funding any new programs, just trying to continuing providing a high quality education to our students.

"Without a supplemental levy, the Lakeland School District would need to implement draconian cuts across all programs. With approval of the levy, we would still be spending slightly less per student than we were four years ago. We feel we should give our patrons the opportunity to provide the support necessary to continue doing the job we have been doing."

Taggart said the money also wouldn't be used for new positions or salary hikes.

A simple majority - 50 percent plus one vote - is needed for the proposal to pass.

Most school districts rely on supplemental levies for their budgets. Lakeland voters approved such measures in 2008 and 2010.

The plant facility levy would replace the current levy of $575,000 per year. Taggart said the increase is needed due to the district having more buildings than 10 years ago and the need to keep up with technology.

A vote of at least 55 percent approval is needed for the measure to pass.

If the supplemental passes, it would mean a $62.31 per year tax increase from the current levy for the owner of a $150,000 home.

If the plant facility levy is approved, that would mean an $11.92 per year increase from the current levy for the average homeowner.

However, since the district recently paid off some bonds and the levy for the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC), a technical-professional school being built in Rathdrum, expires after this year, the average homeowner will pay about $10 less (3.5 percent) per year in school taxes overall than the current year even if both levies pass.

The Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls districts ran supplemental levies last year, so they won't have votes this year.