A request for a $3 million-per-year, five-year plant facilities levy will be on the May 19 ballot for voters in the Lakeland Joint School District.

If approved, the funds will support facility improvements, safety upgrades and maintenance at the district's 11 schools in the Rathdrum, Athol, Spirit Lake, Garwood and Twin Lakes communities.

"As a superintendent, I never want to run a levy unless I absolutely have to," Superintendent Rusty Taylor said Monday. "My team has made it very clear to me that we have to because we have needs around the district."

If at least 55% of voters say yes to the 2026 levy request, an estimated $30.24 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value would appear on yearly property tax bills. A homeowner's exemption of $125,000 reduces the taxable assessed value and would further lower the cost for property owners.

Lakeland's last plant facilities levy, which supported capital improvements at $1.146 million per year for two years, expired June 30, 2025. Just over 55% of voters approved the levy in May 2023 on a reduced timeline, after an initial attempt for a six-year, $1.146 million-per-year facilities levy received only about 49%.

"I always equate it to your house," Taylor said. "If you take care of your house, replacing things that need to be replaced, fix them when they need to be fixed, ultimately it's going to cost you less in the long run."

Putting forth a facilities levy request now is a proactive approach, Taylor said.

"We know that it's going to get to a point that it is an emergency," he said. "I don't think we're being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers if we're not trying to be proactive and address these issues before they actually become serious problems, and most will cost the district more money.

"It's an investment into our staff and our students to create the best learning environment that we can," Taylor continued. "We're not going to ask for anything overly extravagant. What we're trying to do is at least get the bare minimum in place to have great environments for those particular populations."

Facilities levy funds would be used for projects such as general preventive maintenance, safety and security improvements, window and door replacements and electrical and plumbing needs.

"There is a list of different projects we’re recommending to the board. They’re going to have a workshop in April to outline exactly what they want to see year over year with this money," Assistant Superintendent Jake Massey said. “The reality is not a lot of the projects that we’re recommending are very glamorous."

Tim Haag, director of facilities and maintenance, said Lakeland has about 550 heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. Some work has begun at John Brown Elementary, Lakeland Middle and Lakeland High schools using modernization funds approved by the legislature in 2024 and distributed to Idaho school districts based on student population size.

"I have eight other buildings that need repairs," Haag said. "They’re just all aging units, 20-plus years old at every single building."

Twin Lakes Elementary, Lakeland's newest school, which is over 20 years old, needs repairs to its exterior fascia due to icicle and water damage. Its failing boiler system was replaced this year with money from the last plant facilities levy.

"That boiler system had a five-boiler array; it was down to two, and just about to give out," Haag said. "We actually got it replaced just in time."

He said an investment in Lakeland's facilities goes beyond the district.

"Communities are built around schools, especially this community," Haag said. "Everything we do is based around our schools, and even if you don't take part in the schools, ultimately, you're going to want those schools to look nicer. If you want to get personal, it helps your house value."

He said he has worked in areas with rundown schools not supported by their communities.

"The population decreased and it wasn't good for anybody. Housing prices decreased," Haag said. "To me, I think it's an easy decision. If you want to maintain our community, you have to invest in your schools."

A board workshop is at 6 p.m. April 13 at the district office. Lakeland leadership will lead informational meetings with local chambers of commerce and other interested groups this spring.

Plant facilities levy town hall meetings to engage with community members will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 9 at Lakeland Middle School and at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at Timberlake High School. The town halls will also be livestreamed.

Email [email protected] or visit sd272.org for details. An estimated tax levy calculator is also available on the website.

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Four days a no-go in Lakeland

Lakeland trustees resoundingly declined a proposed pilot of a four-day school week at Wednesday's meeting, voting 4-0 against it, with one abstention.

"I think that this plan is detrimental to some of our most vulnerable families, and for that reason I am out and I will move to deny the four-day school week," Trustee Randi Bain said.

Trustee Jeffrey Brodhead seconded her motion. Trustee David Quimby said he "couldn't in good conscience" support the pilot, especially since he personally knows students who are reading far below grade level.

Research on transitioning to a four-day school week began at the request of parents who asked district leadership whether it would be possible for Lakeland. Many parents, teachers and staff who responded to surveys indicated they were open to the possibility.

"The bottom line is, we don't want to lead just by a majority of people and they get to tell us what to do, we do want to listen to a majority and explore it and see if it's a viable option for our community," Superintendent Rusty Taylor said. "I really feel like the board did a good job of reviewing the information ... We wanted to let them make the decision, and we can live with that, and we're going to live with that. The board thinks this is the best decision for our community, because they're attached to the community, and we have to respect that."

    Rob Edelblute, principal assistant at Twin Lakes Elementary, on Monday shows exterior fascia damage from water and icicles that can be addressed if a $3 million-per-year, five-year plant facilities levy request is approved by voters in May.