The Coeur d’Alene School Board unanimously decided to run a $32 million supplemental levy next March.

The two-year levy would add an additional $2 million to the $30 million levy community members passed in 2015.

The supplemental levy will be used for running operations, paying staff and education programs. The board decided to increase the amount this round because the district needs a new bus fleet, to facilitate an English Language Arts curriculum adoption and the district is planning for growth which will require additional money for operations.

The current $30 million levy makes up more than 20 percent of the district’s general fund.

Before the board voted on the levy, Trustee Tom Hearn brought up the lack of state funding for schools, noting that as a consequence, more and more school districts are turning to taxpayers for support.

“I think people need to understand that this is something happening statewide,” he said. “It would be negligent for us to not approve a supplemental levy.”

The board also put out a proposal for a $35.5 million bond to get community feedback before it votes at the January board meeting.

The bond will be used for construction and maintenance projects throughout the district including: upgrades to both high schools, acquiring two plots of land, building one new elementary school on one of those plots, expanding and upgrading Dalton Elementary School, updates and renovations to Lakes Magnet Middle School, making the parking lot at Fernan STEM Academy safer and putting in a wood floor at the Hayden Meadows Elementary School gym.

If passed, neither the bond nor the levy will raise current tax rates for homeowners. The supplemental levy needs 50 percent of the vote plus one vote to pass in March. If the bond is brought to voters, it will require 66.66 percent of the vote to pass.

Trustee Tambra Pickford was all in favor for the bond, noting that it seemed to favor everyone involved.

“[It’s] still honoring our taxpayers by keeping the tax rate flat and we are taking care of our schools that so badly need it,” she said. “I have faith in our community that they are supportive of our kids and our teachers.”

Board Chair Casey Morrisroe said he was pleasantly surprised by some of the comments the board received when it spoke with the community about bond options over the past few weeks.

“Even a naysayer said ‘If you’re going to run something and it’s not going to raise my tax rate, get everything you need now instead of having to come back and ask for more later,’” Morrisroe said.

Public comment will be taken for the next 30 days. Comments can be sent via email to info@cdaschools.org.