As Kathy Livingston watched the election results roll in Tuesday night, she saw the Coeur d'Alene School District's two-year supplemental levy was passing easily.

It was, said the principal of Fernan Elementary School, a big relief.

"I felt so very grateful for the support of our amazing community," 

The new $30.25-million levy will replace the district's current $25 million levy on July 1, 2027, and fund about 25% of the district's operating budget. Revenue will support teacher and staff positions, academic programs, school safety and health services, extracurricular activities, utilities and maintenance, technology, and classroom resources.

Levies in the Post Falls School District, Kootenai School District, Plummer-Worley Joint School District and St. Maries school district also were approved.

Coeur d'Alene school leaders said the increase is necessary to maintain current educational standards amid rising operating costs. 

"For a school like Fernan, not having our levy pass would likely mean that we would not be able to continue to function as a STEM-focused school," Livingston said.

Had the levy failed, Livingston said larger class sizes, fewer support staff and reductions to extracurricular programs likely would have followed.

Principals at Winton Elementary School and Canfield Middle School agreed. Both said a failed levy would have resulted in staff and program cuts, along with larger class sizes due to reduced support staffing.

"Had the levy not passed, our day-to-day operations would have looked drastically different," said Kathleen Corbeill, principal of Winton Elementary School. "Those changes would have impacted the level of individualized support and opportunities we can provide."

Educators had reason for concern heading into Election Day. In March 2023, voters rejected a proposed $25 million perpetual supplemental levy and a separate $25 million safety and maintenance levy.

"It is a challenge to help folks understand how Idaho funds education. Someone new to our state might assume that the levy is 'extra.' But the reality is, the levy is vital," said Nick Lilyquist, principal of Canfield Middle School.

The three principals credited the levy measure's success in part to the district's efforts to explain how the funds would be used. Before the election, the district posted a breakdown of proposed spending on its website. It offered a property tax calculator so residents could estimate the measure's impact on their tax bills.

"I think our district has worked hard over the years to be transparent about our finances and communicate more clearly with our community about how funding is used," Corbeill said.

Livingston said she believes community understanding of Idaho's school funding system and the role of supplemental levies is growing. 

"My hope is that our community continues to see the value of investing in public education," Corbeill said. "I hope community members continue to listen, ask questions and stay connected to what is happening in our schools."

    Fernan STEM Academy principal Kathy Livingston.
  

    Canfield Middle School principal Nick Lilyquist.