Schools seek support on tax measures

COLFAX – Nine school districts are seeking levy approvals from voters on Feb. 8.

A levy is a property tax. It costs the landowner a set amount for every $1,000 of assessed property value. If the amount is $2 for every $100,000 the property is worth, the approved levy would cost the landowner $200 per year.

Levies fund programs not covered by state funding.

People living in the school district can vote on whether to approve or reject levies.

Many are placement levies, meaning an older levy is expiring and the new one would take its place.

Colfax

Colfax School District wants to replace a levy with a new one that draws $1.99 in 2023 and $2 in 2024 to raise $960,000 and then $990,000 in property taxes.

The levy money is earmarked to pay for teachers, support staff, nurses, athletics, extracurricular activities, nutrition, maintenance and operations, transportation, and special education.

“Every dollar from state funding is controlled by the state. This levy allows the school board and administration flexibility to target our community’s educational priorities,” stated Weston and Jennifer Claassen.

Colton

The Colton School District hopes to replace an existing levy to pay for educational programs and operational expenses by charging $2.32 per $1,000 assessed property values in 2023.

The levy would pay for g teachers, support staff, athletics, CTE programming, extracurricular activities, nutrition, maintenance and operations, transportation, and special education.

Endicott

The Endicott School District asks voters to approve a replacement levy drawing $1.65 per $1,000 assessed property value for two years to pay for educational and operational expenses.

A second replacement levy is on the ballot. The district hopes to get approval to generate $1.24 per $1,000 assessed property value to pay for health, safety, and facilities improvements. The replacement levy would generate $177,685 for 2023-2024.

Garfield

The Garfield School District seeks approval for a replacement levy to draw property taxes of $1.87 then $1.82 and $1.76 for 2023-2025 to generate $176,040 to pay for educational programs and operation expenses not paid for by the state.

A second levy, needing approval, would raise property taxes by $1.06 then $1.3, and $1 for 2023-2025 to raise $100,000 each year to pay for buy and install technology devices, other equipment, and infrastructure.

“Funding levies has been a strong tradition in our community. Let’s continue to give our students the support they deserve by voting ‘yes’ on the Capital Projects Fund,” Cande Hasenoehr said.

LaCrosse

The LaCrosse School District looks to raise property taxes by $1.15 per assessed property value in 2023 and $1.10 in 2024 to pay in a replacement levy.

The district states it would use the money for music, FFA, robotics, Missoula Children’s Theater, school lunches, pre-school and new technology equipment.

“Our levy over funds 20% of our operational costs,” stated Superintendent Doug Curtis.

Palouse

Palouse School District asks voters to approve a three-year levy to replace an expiring one, and a new levy.

The replacement levy collects $2.50 then decreases to $2.49 and $2.37 per $1,000 assessed valuation. The increase in property taxes would generate $441,000 each year for 2023-2025.

The taxes are to pay expenses of educational programs and operations.

The second replacement levy would cost $1.78 then $1.69 and $1.61 per $1,000 of assessed property from 2023-2025. If passed, it generates $300,000 for g the acquisition and installation of student and teacher technology devices and other technology equipment and infrastructure.

Rosalia

The Rosalia School District seeks voter approval to raise property taxes through a replacement levy of $2.50 per $1,000 assessed property value to create $434,500 in the first year and $456,500 for the second year. It is to pay for education and operation expenses.

Rosalia is seeking a second levy for technology, safety, and security improvements. If passed, property taxes would rise by 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for 2023-2024 to create $75,000 each year.

The tax revenue would pay for “updating, upgrading and installing new technology equipment and infrastructure to improve student learning. Also modernizing security cameras, entry/access controls, door locks, and other safety/security systems as well as improvements to the infrastructure as part of the district’s technology systems for instruction and research,” stated: Matt Floyd.

St. John

St. Johns School District is asking voters to approve a replacement levy of $1.60 per $1,000 assessed property value for 20223-2024. It would generate $404,393 for 2023 and $416,524 for 20243. The money would pay for educational and operation expenses.

The district is asking for approval of a second levy to replace an expiring one. It would charge property owners $1.29 for 2023-2024 to create $326,105 each year. The fund would pay for health, safety, and facilities improvements.

Tekoa

Tekoa School District asks voters to approve increasing property tax by $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to generate $236,818 in 2023 and 2024 under Proposition 1.

“The taxes collected by this replacement levy will pay expenses of educational programs and operations that are not fully funded by the State,” stated the voters’ pamphlet.

The money is intended to maintain buildings, operate buses, and ensure the quality of education.

The district is asking to continue a levy under Proposition 2 to raise $142,090 for 2023 and 2024 to pay for health, safety, and technology improvements, including enhancing security, upgrading roofs, heating, electrical, and flooring, and acquiring and installing technology equipment and infrastructure.

To continue the levy, property taxes continue to charge $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed valuation on property in the district.