PRIEST RIVER — West Bonner County School District is among three local districts with levy requests that will go to voters in less than a week.

The district is asking voters to approve a two-year, $6 million supplemental levy — $3 million per year. The levy will replace the current levy of the same amount that expires in June, and funds 26 percent of the district’s operating budget. If the two-year levy passes, while the requested amount is the same, WBCSD Superintendent Paul Anselmo said the levy rates for taxpayers will actually go down due to the sale of lots at Priest Lake. The rates have been reduced to $1.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value, down from $1.76 previous.

There will be a second question on the ballot this year as well, asking voters to approve a permanent supplemental override. The permanent override would allow the district to levy up to $3 million each year without having to ask voters to approve it every two years.

School districts in Idaho are eligible for the override after seven consecutive years of voter-approved levies that account for more than 20 percent of the district’s general fund. If the permanent override is approved, the district can not levy more than $3 million in future years, though they can levy less if state funding increases. If the district ever chooses to levy more than $3 million, they will have to take it back to the voters.

As election day approaches on March 12, Anselmo has been holding meetings, answering questions and clarifying information to the public. The following are some of the questions and concerns he has heard, along with his responses.

Q: Why does the current business manager and board clerk make $62,463 and $8,500 after less than five years, while the person who held the position previously left after 14 years at a salary of $63,604 and $5,031? In addition, human resources director added to her position in 2017 for an additional $10,000 per year?

A: The board felt the need to adjust the salary for the business manager and board clerk to more closely match other local districts. This was done to retain this position due to the loss of our previous person and because of the degree held by this person. Same for the human resources stipend. The previous business manager hired a person to fill this pending their acquisition of a degree. The degree never occurred and our current business manager has a degree to handle this along with the additional duties it takes. Therefore the board thought it warranted a stipend.

Q: Was the interim superintendent position in 2014 contracted at $75,835, rather than the suggested salary amount of $68,223? Also, the district paid $8,240 for the superintendent’s credit qualification, and he receives 3-percent raises each year as well?

A: The interim superintendent salary was based on a recommendation from the previous business manager to the board, however, it is worth pointing out that the superintendent position is negotiated directly with the board. The payment of credits was negotiated by the superintendent and the board and is common practice between superintendents and boards. My salary is on a salary schedule like all other employees, so my increases are due to years of experience in the position. This mirrors others, and the increases would stop when I reach the end of my salary schedule (10 years).

Q: Do part-time coaches receive longevity stipends of $1,500 after 10 years of employment?

A: There are no part-time coaches in the district. Coaches and co-curricular directors (band, choir, AcaDeca, etc.) who have been in a position for 10 years do receive a longevity stipend. This is $1,500 for high school and $1,000 for junior high, and is part of the negotiated agreement.

Q: Why doesn’t the district hold the levy election in November?

A: The state budget is not addressed in November and this makes projecting for the future difficult to do.

Q: Why has the levy amount gone up more than 360 percent since 2008, while student attendance has dropped by 33 percent?

A: The real problem started in 2006 when property tax was dropped as the mechanism for funding schools; the funding was moved to an increase of 1 percent to sales tax. When the economy was in a recession, the funding was way below expectations and school funding was actually cut. In order to maintain educational programs, levy amounts statewide were increased, WBCSD included. The cost of educating students in small rural districts is higher, our number of special education students did not decrease. Also, hard costs such as heating, electricity and such do not decrease. We need a calculus class offered whether we have 15 students or five — this provides opportunities our students need. In 2006, property tax was $3 per $1,000 assessed value. Our upcoming levy will be at $1.47 per $1,000 assessed value. School taxes are actually less than they were before for our taxpayers.

Q: Is it accurate to say the state has increased teacher salaries by 40 percent in the past seven years?

A: The career ladder has been a mechanism for increasing teacher pay throughout the state of Idaho. Minimum salaries have risen from a state required $31,750 to $38,500 — this is roughly a 12-percent increase. Not sure where the 40 percent came from. The career ladder was originally supposed to raise teacher pay to three levels — $40,000 for new teachers, $50,000 for mid level teachers and $60,000 to the top end teachers. The career ladder was not fully funded and we will soon have a minimum of $40,000 and a top end underfunded at $50,000. The increases have helped as seen by the decrease in general fund dollars needed on the upcoming levy. Classified salaries continue to be underfunded and the state recognizes we spend way beyond what they fund. Unfortunately this funding has become essential to districts statewide. Hopefully we can pass this levy and the permanency of it so we can stop tearing our community and school system down every two years and focus on the important task of educating our students.

Anselmo is hosting a town hall meeting at 5 p.m., today in the Priest River Junior High auditorium. A “coffee with the superintendent” event will be held from 5-6 p.m., Thursday, at Infinity Cafe, with casual conversation regarding the levy. An informational meeting will also be held from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday at Barrel 57 in Priest Lake.