School Bonds and Levies

Mar 15, 2024 | Legislative priorities | 2 comments

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SCHOOL BONDS AND LEVIES

bonds AND LEVIES are not the same

To compensate for much needed revenue to cover increasing costs various taxing entities can request needed funds from the voters either through levies or bonds or both. Levies and bonds differ. Levies pay for maintenance and operations and bonds basically pay for buildings (remodel, repair or new). These requests are not frivolous and when they are put on the ballot they are truly needed.

sCHOOL bonds aND LEVIES ARE reALLY MISUNDERSTOOD

As mentioned above, levies pay for maintenance and operations, bonds pay for buildings. Idaho school districts periodically ask voters to approve a levy or a bond. This is because the school budgets are not funded completely by the state. Many years ago our legislators and then governor decided that locals should pay for part of their own local children’s education. They came up with the following formula: state pays for about 60% of the budget, locals pay for about 28% and the Feds about 12%.

LET’S COMPARE A HOME WITH A SCHOOL

A home is a household with a family that has needs. I hope you can work with me on my analogy. Let’s create an example where we have three incomes contributing to the budget. The husband’s salary pays for 60% of the bills, the wife has to work to help cover their expenses and brings in 28% of their needs and they have 2 kids who get child tax credits from the Federal government in the amount of 12% of their total income. The family in this story is not living frivolously. What happens if something unexpected arises? The wife gets injured or ill and can’t work. This is not good and can be catastrophic. While there are things this household can do realize schools cannot. For example, schools cannot move to a smaller place or max out credit cards. So, think about it. What can a school do when local taxpayers turn down a levy request? What you believe to be an ask but is not really an ask. It’s your legislated financial requirement being submitted to you for a review and approval. Not approving is skipping out on your obligation.

sCHOOL bonds aND LEVIES PAY FOR NECESSITIES

Populations expand causing a need for more classrooms and teachers. HVAC systems breakdown, roofs leak or collapse and will need repair or replacement. Books need to be replaced periodically. Buses get old and so does technology. Teachers need pay raises to keep up with our skyrocketing housing costs and inflation. School resource officers and security systems are not niceties. Saying no to your fiscal responsibility is being a Scrooge. I cannot figure out why folks who know nothing about school budgets and operations complain so loudly. Don’t let our kids and community suffer. Levies and bonds are obligations you are financially responsible for. If you don’t like the funding formula, then send me to the state legislature and I will work to change it.

When you vote on school levies or bonds you are participating in your community’s needs. There you can make a positive impact. If you don’t your community will suffer. Remember, levies and bonds are legislated. Your schools have needs and don’t have any other options.