Meadows Valley School District Asks Voters to Approve $443,800 per Year Levy
On Tuesday, May 20 Meadows Valley citizens will be asked to renew the Meadows Valley Supplemental School Levy for the next two years. The levy will be $443,800 per year, $887,600 total if approved by voters.
The levy passed with a strong majority in 2023. The existing levy expires on June 30, 2025. The supplemental levy could provide local funding for teacher and staff retention, updating curriculum supplies, equipment, and course materials as well as improvements to the school playground and sports field.
Supplemental levies are funded by local property taxes. The proposed levy is estimated at about $55.00 per year per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. The levy would be applicable for two years. This would be an increase of about $4.40 per $100,000 from the previous levy.
Idaho schools receive federal and state funding, but the amount of money received per district depends on multiple factors including student numbers, student attendance rates, and staff details. For smaller schools like Meadows Valley, this can mean not enough funding to pay salaries, add or keep teacher positions, or cover school improvements. Often at school board meetings the conversation includes finding ways to make money stretch and do a lot with a little.
Most Idaho public schools rely on supplemental levy funding for teacher salaries and school programs including curriculum updates, school improvements, and keeping important staff such as special education professionals, counselors, and custodians employed. In other school districts this year, if their levy does not pass they may need to close schools or let go of current teachers.
In Meadows Valley, levy funding would support salaries & benefits to retain teaching staff for both required and elective classes. These include Career Technical Education (CTE) which covers Ag, shop, welding, and the FFA program, as well as Art, Music, and PE. These dollars would also support paraprofessionals and preschool programming, curriculum updates and related supplies, technology maintenance and software. This funding also helps the school provide low participation costs for important extracurricular activities like sports including helping pay for coaches and cover transportation costs.
The district looks to use levy funding to give much needed updates to the school playground, sports field, and further school safety improvements. High level teachers and programs are vital to successful schooling.
According to school documents, revenue from the last levy accounted for about 17% of the district’s budget for this school year. Superintendent Dee Fredrickson wrote in a letter to the community that without the levy, “we may have to cut or reduce some of these programs, which could make it harder for our students to get the full education they deserve. The levy will help us continue to provide the things that make our schools special.”
The 2023 Levy funds have been used for the following:
→$198,000 for staffing including new CTE, Art, Music, P.E., and continuing IDLA teachers.
→$50,000 for Weight Room equipment
→$23,000 for the school sign at City Park
→Fencing of Elementary Playground
→Athletics
On behalf of Meadows Valley School District, Fredrickson wrote with hope that Meadows Valley residents will pass this levy renewal. She wrote, “Thank you for supporting our schools and helping us provide a great education for our students.”
A levy information table with staff available to answer questions will be set up at the school’s Celebration of Learning event on May 15 at 5:30 p.m..
Voting will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at the Historic P & I.N. Depot with polls open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The school district has provided information at www.mvsd11.org/page/mvsd-levy for those interested in learning more about the levy.
