KELLOGG — Voters in the Kellogg Joint School District approved a two-year, $7 million replacement supplemental levy during Tuesday's primary election, delivering a decisive outcome after a failed attempt last November. 

The levy passed with 1,596 votes (66.6%) in favor and 816 votes (33.8%) opposed, providing the district with critical funding stability for the next two school years. KSD is a joint district that also includes the west side of Shoshone County and part of Kootenai County. 

The measure comes six months after a similar levy was rejected in the November general election, which had prompted district leaders to weigh significant cuts to staffing and programs. 

The 66.6% passage was KSD's highest level of support for a levy since 2012, when it was over 70%. 

Kellogg Joint School District Board Chair Alexa Griffin said the outcome brings both relief and renewed confidence. 

“The relief, joy and appreciation felt by me and probably many in the district is not dramatic or exaggerated,” Griffin said. “We can now plan our next school year with confidence and know we are doing everything in our power to give the kids the best experience and education we can.” 

The approved levy funds staff and programs throughout the district, which were broken down into three categories: student opportunities, educational opportunities and safety and operations. 

Student opportunities account for $694,640 of the proposed levy and include athletics at Kellogg Middle School and High School, the Marine Corps JROTC program at Kellogg High School and foreign language programs at both schools. At the district’s two elementary schools, funded programs include full-day kindergarten, music, physical education and computer education. The category also covers the district’s advanced online course options. 

Educational opportunities, totaling $1,136,021, fund several teaching positions, including salaries and benefits, classroom and instructional aides and instructional materials. 

The remaining $1,693,689 is allocated to safety and operations. These funds support student transportation, the district nurse, janitorial services, heating and lighting costs and the district’s information technology staff. 

After the previous attempt failed, many voters claimed they struggled to understand several of the key issues associated with the levy, including what it funded, how it was replacing the current levy and how the state's tax relief program had been utilized. 

Griffin credited community volunteers who helped inform voters throughout the campaign. 

“Many people put in hard work to advocate and educate for the levy, and no amount of gratitude will ever be enough,” she said.