KELLOGG – The Kellogg School Board on Tuesday approved a resolution setting the amount for its proposed two-year supplemental maintenance and operations levy. 

Following a recent public workshop, Trustee Bonnie Farmin recommended that the district move forward with a levy totaling $7,048,700 — or $3,524,350 per year, which was unanimously approved by the board.

The proposed amount reflects a warning memo from Idaho’s Division of Financial Management, which cautioned that the state may withhold up to 6% of forecasted funds due to lower-than-expected tax revenues. The memo also urged agencies funded by the general fund to restrict spending to “maintenance” needs, such as honoring contracts, paying staff and keeping school facilities operational. 

Locally, levy funds help bridge the gap left by insufficient state funding and cover essential needs including utilities, transportation, classroom supplies, technology, curriculum, extracurriculars (including sports), custodial services, facilities, full-day kindergarten, classroom support and the district nurse. 

According to Kellogg School District Business Manager Danielle Estill, the district’s projected state revenue for the upcoming fiscal year is $9,432,505. A 6% reduction would amount to more than $500,000, a cut that could impact staffing levels and student opportunities. 

Taxpayers have paid $215.37 per $100,000 of assessed property value under the district’s previous two supplemental levies, each totaling $2.95 million annually. The proposed levy would raise that amount to $237.17. 

During the workshop, trustees emphasized that the increase is not intended to fund new programs or positions, but to maintain current operations. 

Following Tuesday's meeting, Board Chair Alexa Griffin stressed the maintenance aspect of the levy.

“This increase is necessary to maintain our current staffing and operations, as every staff member and program plays a vital role in supporting our students,” Griffin said. “We are not adding new programs or positions, our goal is simply to preserve what we have. If deeper state funding cuts occur, we’ll need to re-evaluate. But at this time, this levy increase is about stability and continuing to serve our students without disruption.” 

Trustee John Schroeder noted that if the state withholds less than 6%, the district could opt not to collect the additional funds. 

The proposed levy will appear on the November general election ballot.