BCSD to run M&O levy in March '23

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County School District will run a maintenance and operations levy in March with ballot information to be decided at future school board meetings.

M&O levies in the state of Idaho only last for one to two years. BCSD has selected to run their M&O every other year. M&Os cover maintenance, operation and learning costs that are not covered by the state, such as band, drama, FFA, CTE course, extracurricular activities, travel for extracurriculars, grounds maintenance and more. This levy also pays for 35 staff members.

In the past, the school district’s M&O levy has paid for smaller class sizes and allows the district to maintain its level of learning, Superintendent Jan Bayer said.

The current M&O will expire in June 2023.

Bayer suggested to the board of trustees that the M&O levy be offered at the March election and not May to allow time for budgeting and personnel. She added that when it comes to issuing contracts for a position it is better to know there is funding for the position.

“You don’t want to hire someone for a position that is cut,” she said.

Bayer added that when maintenance and operations are not funded that school maintenance falls further behind. She said she hopes that the state will pay more for funding schools in the future, so as the district will not have to tax local more while ensuring students are provided for.

The school board voted 3-1 in favor of putting an M&O before the voters in March and to not raise the dollar value of the levy. Trustee Mary Fioravanti voted no, maintaining her stance to only hold school board elections during the primary and general elections instead of four times a year, which Idaho Code allows.

At the Oct. 24 meeting, the district received a clean annual audit by Tony Matson, CPA of Hayden-Ross in Moscow.

About 30% of BCSD funding comes from local taxpayers and 70% is from the state. This is flipped from other districts that are typically funded 70% by their taxpayers and 30% by the state, Matson said.

Where does the district's budget go? 40.2% or $4.7 million goes to support, or staff.

58.5%, or $8.87 million goes to instruction. Transfers is 9% at 117,851. Other expense equal 0.2%.

Added to the BCSD101 website are the policies under review. For more information, visit https://www.bcsd101.com/board-of-trustees/policies-under-review. Also on the website are minutes of past meetings and executive council.