School district details proposed levy
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | September 17, 2026 1:00 AM
BONNERS FERRY — Personnel, extracurricular activities and security measures are among the key items that a $2.4 million proposed levy would cover if voters approve the Boundary County School District supplemental levy in November.
The levy would replace the district's current two-year supplemental levy of $2.4 million per year that expires June 30, 2027. Funds from the maintenance and operations levy make up about 12% to 15% of the district’s general fund.
The Boundary County School Board voted in mid-August to renew a $2.4 million supplemental levy, with the measure going before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot.
If approved by voters, the levy would run from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029.
Levy funds would pay for safety, maintenance and security measures, roughly $200,000 per year; extra- and co-curricular activities, $450,000 per year; salaries and benefits, $1,385,000 per year; curricular materials, $135,000; technology, $85,000; and a new bus, $130,000.
Textbooks, supplies, computers and software licenses are included in those costs.
Political subdivisions such as the school district must submit any proposed bonds, levies and referendums to county clerks by Aug. 28 to be included on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
"Basically, if we don't run a levy and we keep where we're at, by the end of the first fiscal year, we'd be down to a million dollars in reserve funds," BDSD Superintendent Jan Bayer said at the July 20 school board meeting.
That amount would cover less than a month of current spending and program levels, Bayer told the board at that meeting.
If approved, the average annual cost of the levy would be $93 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year, school district officials said.
The levy details what the district will spend the money on if voters opt to continue the levy.
"We can, with 100% certainty, run reports and show you this is what we spent the money on and if we don't get that money, those items are gone," Bayer told trustees at a past meeting.
For information on the levy, go to the school district website's levy page at bcsd101.com/page/levy.
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