School district seeks levy renewal

BONNERS FERRY — The Boundary County School District 101 current Maintenance and Operation (M&O) Levy will expire on June 30, 2019. The levy aids in bridging the gap between state/federal funding, and what it currently takes to provide education for the local students.

For 2019-21, district officials are asking for $2.4 million annually with the goal of continuing to offer such things to the students as smaller class sizes, safety and security projects, technology (1:1 ratio), student extra and co-curricular activities, as well as music, band, art, and PE (elementary schools).

The levy will also go to teachers salaries and benefits, maintaining support staff which includes paraprofessionals, teacher aides, special education personnel, and more, training, instruction materials, and facility maintenance.

“This money just goes into the general fund, which is everything to do with running the school,” said Boundary County School District Superintendent Gary Pflueger.

This current levy is a replacement levy, so taxpayers would see no change in their tax obligation for schools. Currently, for a home with an assessed value of $100,000, taxpayers pay approximately $20 per month.

“We have not raised it; we have done a good job fiscally, keeping our budget under wraps,” said Pflueger. “The school board is very fiscally responsible and prudent. We are keeping our pennies in order.

“Our budget has been incredible. I give a lot of credit to Cal Bateman, the business manager, and a couple of the board members who are up the their knees in this with us. They are doing a nice job. Things are good,” he added.

Currently, 93 out of 149 Idaho Public School Districts operate under M&O Levies. Two years ago, the Boundary County school levy passed in every precinct.

“I encourage everyone to participate in this decision by voting on March 12,” said Pflueger.

Information on voting:

You may vote early at the Boundary County Courthouse from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you are not registered to vote, you may register at the polls on Election Day.

Be sure to bring photo identification as well as proof of your physical address. If your physical address is not on your identification, you may bring a utility bill, rent receipt or other documentation of your physical address.

Precinct and polling sites

001-BF/Kootenai — Exhibit Hall at the fairgrounds

002-Copeland — Mt. Hall School

004-Moyie Springs — Moyie City Hall

005-Naples — South Boundary Fire Station 1

006-N Bonners Ferry — Exhibit Hall at the fairgrounds

007-Valley View — Exhibit Hall at the fairgrounds

Absentee ballots

Those who cannot or choose not to go to the polls on Election Day can cast their vote by absentee ballot. Those wishing to vote absentee can pick up applications for absent elector’s ballot at the County Clerk’s office. Absentee ballot applications must be turned in each year you wish to vote absentee.

The Boundary County Courthouse is an absentee polling site prior to Election Day. Registered voters outside the county should submit their application for absent elector’s ballot allowing ample mail time prior to the election.

Completed ballots must be received no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day in the County Clerk’s Office.