Post Falls voters will consider a $6.7 million annual replacement supplemental levy that school district leaders say is needed to maintain key student supports and services.

The two-year measure would replace the district’s current levy. For a homeowner with a $500,000 house, the estimated annual cost is about $324.50, based on the $64.90 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value listed on the ballot.

However, with Idaho’s property tax relief, that cost can shift to $38.87 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. For a resident with a $500,000 home, that cuts the price tag to $194.35. 

Superintendent Anna Wilson said the funds would sustain safety and security measures, nursing services, extracurricular activities and athletics, the district’s share of the Kootenai Technical Education Campus, two school bus replacements, early literacy support, behavioral support staff and competitive staff salaries.

“School safety is our No. 1 priority for students,” Wilson said. 

The district partners with the Post Falls Police Department for five school resource officers. One at the high school, one at each middle school, and two shared among the elementary schools and alternative high school. Campus security staff, many of them retired officers, also provide daily presence on campus.

“They’re checking doors, they’re verifying gates are locked, they’re providing supervision. They’re monitoring the cameras,” Wilson said. “They’re that first point of contact for any questionable activity that we have.” 

The levy would also continue funding for extracurricular clubs, activities and athletics. Wilson described these programs as an important part of a complete education.

“We know that those co-curricular and extracurricular activities provide students with opportunities to collaborate, to work on their communication skills, to demonstrate leadership," she said.

Connections formed through sports and clubs often motivate students and open doors later in life, Wilson said.

Nearly $1 million of the levy would support K-3 literacy staff who provide early foundational reading help. Another roughly $1 million would fund behavioral support staff for students who need additional assistance in the classroom or through special education services. Another $1 million helps maintain salaries.

Wilson said that Idaho funds schools based on average daily attendance rather than enrollment. With a 92.6% attendance rate and about 5,800 students, the district sees roughly 430 absences each day. That creates a large funding gap the levy helps address so classrooms can continue operating at full strength.

“We still have to fully fund that classroom,” she said. 

She described the levy as "fundamental" to keep current programs in place.