A strong funding mechanism that directly impacts the school system are levies.
This model school districts can be a major benefactor in extracurriculars, athletic training, clubs and educational programs.
The layout of a levy is simple: property owners in the school district can vote in place a levy. If the taxpayers do so, a certain amount of money will be added to the taxes annually, and this money is then given to the school district.
The Lakeland Joint School District 272 levy is being run on Nov. 5 in order to increase voter turnout.
This levy will replace the current one, which expires at the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The current levy collects $9.52 million dollars. By law, levys can only last for two years.
Thirty percent of the district’s budget will be cut if the majority of residents vote no.
“That atmosphere that everyone looks forward to when they go to a Lakeland sports game is only possible because of the funding that we are given through taxpayer dollars,” Lakeland athlete Grace Early said. “It is almost like a whole production, without the levies and other funding none of it would be possible.”
In addition to athletic programs relying on levy funds, other programs are dependent upon the same funds.
Advanced placement courses, clubs and special education services are subordinate to the state funds. Without a levy many schools, including Lakeland, will struggle to meet the needs of students with different learning styles.
“I hope everyone who is eligible to vote is able to, so the will of the voters is apparent in the results,” Shannon Hall said. Hall coaches two sports at Lakeland as well as teaches college level English and film classes.
Some argue strong schools can be a major benefactor to the broader community. By attracting families, fostering a sense of town pride, and raising property values, schools and their education has a wider impact than just the students who attend it.
Discussions over how the district will operate without the levy being passed have taken place over long hours, and many ideas have been proposed. However, nothing has been decided at this time.
“We don’t have any definitions on that because ultimately all things are decided by the school board,” Lakeland High School assistant principal Shannon Lafontaine said. “Without that levy that money would have to come from someplace else, or the things being decided upon may be cut.”
The school board would conclusively decide whether this levy would affect which clubs, sports, and educational tools are more important. The board would then have to split the lesser remaining funds without the levy among the more important groups.
However, only the school board would get to make these decisions and some clubs and sports that would have to be cut from the funding may feel this as misrepresentation.
Multiple attempts to contact board members were not returned.
A huge part of the high school experience is just getting involved.
But smaller clubs that are not as popular would get shoved under the rug without the levy. These clubs are really important to students even if they may not be as popular. That is a lot of students’ way of getting involved and making the most of their four years here.” Lakeland student Brock Raebel said.
This levy is not without its opposition
Others see the need for a levy as a lack of representation in the Idaho government.
Idaho’s legislature is in charge of administering funds for schools and overseeing the spending within school districts. .
Some people are concerned about the levy increasing its property tax bill. The levy rate is $105 per $100,000 of taxable, assessed value of a home. The rate would be less when the property tax relief dollars are applied.
Many people feel the responsibility should be placed less on taxpayers and more on the government. In an article on the CDA press, Joann Lokken writes that her opinion on the levy is that, “It is the responsibility of our legislators” to uphold and support the financial needs of public schools throughout the state.”
“I feel senior citizens should be exempt from school taxes!” Monte Hillman wrote in the CDA Press.
The voting has been on the mind of many of those enrolled in, or teaching at Lakeland schools. However, the arguments over the correct answer on levies remain unanswered.
