NAMPA — Emotions ran high as the Nampa School District's Board of Trustees moved to put a $7.8 million levy proposal on the November ballot.
Many trustees said they were torn between their heads and their hearts. Some trustees pushed to place a lower levy on the budget as to show “fiscal responsibility,” while others pushed for the higher levy to help support the needs of Nampa students.
“It has to start with a step, and sometimes it has to be risky,” said trustee Mandy Simpson. “Let's take a leap for kids in this community. It's going to help this community positively.”
The torn board compromised and voted unanimously on the $7.8 million two-year levy.
The option before November voters is raising the current tax rate by an additional $25 per $100,000 of taxable value, which would increase the levy to $7.8 million for a span of two years. Under this scenario, $3.4 million would be used to maintain instructional programs, $3.5 million would be used to fund curriculum and technology updates, $315,000 would fund some athletic, music and activity equipment and supplies and another $500,000 would be used to hire 10 new teachers. This levy could also initiate a six-year textbook replacement cycle.
The rate for this scenario for property taxpayers would be $448 per $100,000 of taxable value.
“I'm torn between my heart and my head,” trustee Bob Otten said. “I would like to see the $8.9 million become the supplemental levy because I see the need is there. But I think we also need to be realistic. “We asked the public to double their levy the last time, and now we're asking them to double it again. I'm not sure we have the whole community behind this.”
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Simpson said during the meeting she was learning toward a $9 million levy option because she believes it's the only chance to meet the district's goals.
“We have to set these kids up for success,” she said.
Trustee Janelle Stauffer agreed with Simpson, saying the best option for student success is the $9 million levy.
Trustee Brian Fuller and board chariman Brian McGourty agreed the $9 million levy proposal would be too much to ask of the taxpayers.
“We all want these kids to have more, but we need to be fiscally responsible,” Fuller said. “I think the needs have been identified. I'm confident that if we do pass a supplemental levy, those funds will be used wisely.”
Superintendent David Peterson said the language in the levies should be modified so there are no specific “promises” in the ballot budget in case the district's situation changed. Included in the language is the promise of an outside audit that will show where the levy money is spent.
