This year will mark new beginnings for the cities and school districts on the west side of Kootenai County.

Here are the highlights of challenges and opportunities for the cities of Post Falls and Rathdrum, and the Post Falls and Lakeland school districts:

* Post Falls voters to consider school funding proposals in March

Post Falls School District voters are expected to consider two separate funding proposals on March 10.

The school board last month decided to place a $19.5 million facility bond levy to construct a new elementary school and facility improvements on the ballot.

The board on Jan. 12 will decide whether to forward a supplemental levy proposal for $4.65 million per year for two years to voters as well.

The supplemental levy proposal needs a simple majority (50 percent, plus one) vote to pass. The facility bond levy needs a vote of at least two-thirds approval to pass.

Even if both proposals pass, school district taxes would not increase from what taxpayers are currently paying due to other bonds expiring and being refinanced, Superintendent Jerry Keane said.

However, taxes for the owner of a $200,000 home would decrease by $2.71 per month if the facility bond fails. If the district didn't have a supplemental levy proposal at all, taxes would decrease by $18.12 a month for the average homeowner.

"Frankly, we would need to shut down the district pretty much if we do not have a supplemental at least at the $4.255 million level," said Keane, referring to the current levy amount that will expire at the end of this fiscal year. "We have the lowest supplemental levy in the area and one of the lowest in the state."

Idaho is the only state which requires such a vote for school facility measures and does not provide matching state funds.

Idaho school districts have the ability to supplement funds they receive from the state by asking local patrons to vote to approve an additional amount with a supplemental levy. Keane said Post Falls has needed to rely more on supplemental funds during the past five years due to a reduction of state funds coming to the district.

The supplemental funds would be used for curricular materials, textbooks, buses and technology required for state-required testing.

The facility bond levy includes constructing a $10 million elementary school on the west side of Greensferry Road to alleviate overcrowding at other schools, a $4 million second-story addition at River City Middle School, a $2.5 million performing arts auditorium at Post Falls High, a $2 million auxiliary gym at Post Falls High and a $1 million sum for a two-classroom addition at West Ridge; heating unit upgrades at Seltice, Frederick Post/New Vision and Mullan Trail; energy efficiency remodels at Mullan Trail and Frederick Post; and security system upgrades throughout the district.

Keane said the district will also focus on implementing Common Core state testing standards, work with state legislators on restoring school funds lost during the recession and improve school safety plans.

* Top ranking has Lakeland focused on 'staying the course'

Brad Murray, Lakeland superintendent, said the district will focus on "staying the course."

"We have not had any significant enrollment increase for a number of years and therefore we don't have any building projects slated in the near future," Murray said.

He said Lakeland was recently named Idaho's top district by Niche - a group founded in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon University students that uses statistics and opinions of students and parents to rank districts - a testament that the district is performing well. The rankings were based on test scores and several areas including extracurricular activities, food, facilities, teachers and resources.

"Certainly a top ranking is extremely gratifying and isn't something that just happened overnight," Murray said. "Lakeland has a strong reputation based on our consistently high levels of student achievement, outstanding stewardship of taxpayer dollars and wide variety of student opportunities."

Coeur d'Alene (10th), St. Maries (24th) and Post Falls (26th) also finished well within the top half of the 68 total districts that were ranked.

Murray said Lakeland is in the process of having new security doors installed at the district's elementary schools.

"With safety in mind, our district has completed building safety assessments and we have implemented a number of recommended measures and are committed to continuing our focus on safety each year," Murray said.

* Post Falls eyes finishing construction projects

The $15 million Greensferry overpass along Interstate 90 between the Highway 41 interchange and the Seltice Way overpass is scheduled to be completed late next summer or early fall.

"This project will improve connectivity and emergency response and should also have a positive impact on business activity," said Mayor Ron Jacobson.

The $1.9 million Spokane Street revitalization project between the freeway and Spokane River will finish by next summer. Most of the project has been completed.

Improvements include medians, landscaping, sidewalks, lighting and a pocket park aimed at creating a city center and calming traffic. The stretch will be chip-sealed in 2015.

"The improvements on Spokane Street are expected to result in increased interest/activity for the (Post Falls) Landing property," Jacobson said.

Both construction projects are being funded by local taxpayer funds generated through the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency.

Jacobson said wastewater upgrades to meet the recently-issued discharge permit for the Spokane River will be a focus for years to come.

"During 2015, work will continue on the headworks, flow equalization and solids handling," Jacobson said. "This phase of improvements is estimated to cost $14 million and is scheduled for completion in 2016."

On the economic development front, 2014 was a mixed bag for Post Falls as Kimball Office (formerly Harpers and Flexcel) plans to leave the area to consolidate with its operations in the Midwest and be closer to its markets.

However, construction is underway next door for aerospace parts manufacturer Advanced Thermoplastic Composites, which is moving to Post Falls from Spokane Valley.

"This is the first Washington company to move to Idaho and utilize the tax reimbursement program approved by the Legislature during 2014," Jacobson said. "We look forward to ATC's opening and expect to enjoy job growth related to their relocation."

Jacobson said the city expects commercial and industrial development to finally occur on the west side of Post Falls in the area that is anchored by Cabela's and Walmart.

* Rathdrum eyes mountain plan, to welcome NIC facility

The city of Rathdrum later this winter and spring will start the public planning process on how to lightly develop 557 acres it owns on Rathdrum Mountain. The city in 2014 overcame an access hurdle to its property.

City officials have said they would like to create recreational opportunities with the land.

Selective timber harvesting of the property will continue through October. Funds from previous harvests have been used to fund city projects, including the construction of City Hall.

"Not many cities have 557 beautiful mountain acres that they can look at doing something with that is adjacent to their city," Mayor Vic Holmes said.

Construction of North Idaho College's career technical training facility on Lancaster next to the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) is expected to begin this spring.

Other city-related projects include: constructing a picnic shelter and playground at Round Park, Majestic Park improvements, paving the parking area at Stub Myer Park, constructing a new water well and pump house, adding five lighted pedestrian sign crossings, updating video systems in police cars, implementing a new billing system, road overlay improvements and pedestrian pathways.

"We have an outer ring (of pathways) that, when completed along Meyer, will connect the whole city in pathways," Holmes said. "For 2015, we have budgeted to complete large sections along Meyer and Boekel, although still leaving several large sections to complete in upcoming years."

Another goal is to re-establish a veteran's group to support area vets and to assist with Memorial and Veterans Day activities.

• Athol to focus on projects, regaining trust

The city of Athol is looking forward to regaining the public's trust in 2015 as former clerk Sally Hansen was fired in July and is a person of interest in an embezzlement case involving city funds.

"We would like to create a stronger community after our recent loss of funds and trust," Mayor Darla Kuhman said.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office has completed its investigation and the evidence has been given to the U.S. Attorney's Office for possible charges.

Lori Yarbrough, who formerly worked at the Idaho Department of Labor in Post Falls, was appointed as the new city clerk.

Kuhman said Athol is also developing a beautification plan for its cemetery and building public restrooms at the city park.

She said helping businesses survive after U.S. 95 was built over the heart of town is another priority.

"We would like to address the highway bypass issues and its impact on our town and do what we can to assist current businesses in models to help them grow," Kuhman said.