Community Support for Kuna Students, Schools
- Address community priorities for student learning with an annual supplemental levy (levy for learning) renewed every two years
- Create space for future new students with bonds (bonds for buildings) about every three to four years
- Harness growth to fund school growth and keep the tax rate stable and predictable
HIGHLIGHTS
Keeping taxes stable, predictable
Tax rate promises are being kept.
The original plan was accomodate needs while keeping the tax rate at $5 per $1,000 of taxable property values.
Thanks to refinancing and paying off bond debt the tax rate has dropped from $5 to $4.08 per $1,000 of taxable value.
As new homes and commercial property is added, we are seeing growth starting to pay for growth.
2019 Levy for Learning
The levy was renewed at the same amount. The overall tax rate dropped from $5.00 to $4.88. The renewed levy provided $2.5 million for students in 2019-20 and in 2020-21.
The funds were used on priorities set by our community -- however, student needs for devices during the pandemic meant a delay in some instructional materials.
Add 20 teachers to:
- address areas of classroom overcrowding
- add auto body repair, diesel mechanics, and construction trade
- continue free full-time kindergarten
Purchased materials and technology equipment:
- English -- PK-5 Curriculum purchased; 6-12 Preliminary work done; full adoptions were delayed as pandemic needs required more funds be used for Chromebooks
- Science -- Preliminary work done; full adoptions were delayed as pandemic required more funds be used for Chromebooks
- Musical instruments
- Chromebooks
Continued focus on safety and prevention by:
- maintaining school resource officers
- increasing prevention staffing and training
- making critical building improvements
2017 Levy for Learning
Our community identified priorities for first Levy for Learning identified in the #KSDgrowingforward plan :
The levy provided $2.5 million for students in 2017-18 and in 2018-19. As promised, the two-year $5 million investment was used to:
- Provided new materials and equipment for math, social studies, and technology
- Focused on safety and prevention by:
- Secured access to schools with new fencing, swipe card entrances, doors and cameras
- Funded one additional school resource officer
- Completed school maintenance and repairs including:
- Fremont Middle School - Rreplaced old heating, cooling system
- Kuna Middle School - Added handicap accessible bathroom and painted
- Indian Creek & Ross Elementary School -- purchased desks, repaired sidewalks
- Silver Trail, Ross and Crimson Point schools -- installed swipe card safety access
- Restored fund balance needed for fiscal stability and to reduce bond interest costs
Watch the video overview
2017 Bond for Buildings
Projects promised were built including:
- Multipurpose Athletic Room Kuna High School
- Addition to Kuna Middle School
- Classroom addition to Reed Elementary
- Classroom addition to Silver Trail Elementary
- Convert Teed Elementary to Fremont Middle School
- Construction of phase one of Swan Falls High School
- Critical maintenance needs
Type |
Date |
Amount |
% YES |
PASS/FAIL |
*Supplemental M&O Levy (Levy for Learning) |
March 2021 |
2,500,000 (2) |
|
March 9, 2021 Election |
*Supplemental M&O Levy (Levy for Learning) |
March 2019 |
2,500,000 (2) |
56.1% |
Pass
|
*Supplemental M&O Levy (Levy for Learning) |
March 2017 |
2,500,000 (2) | 67.4% |
Pass |
*Bond Levy (Bond for Buildings) |
March 2017 |
$40,000,000 |
67.1% |
Pass
|
Supplemental M&O Levy |
May 2014 |
$3,190,000.00 (2) |
52.72 |
Pass |
Supplemental M&O Levy |
March 2014 |
$3,190,000.00 (2) |
47.88% |
Fall |
Supplemental M&O Levy |
August 2012 |
$3,190,000.00 (2) |
53.06% |
Pass |
Supplemental M&O Levy |
May 2011 |
$1,500,000.00 (2) |
39.10% |
Fail |
Supplemental M&O Levy |
May 2009 |
$1,100,000.00 (2) |
62.02% |
Pass |
Bond Levy |
September 2007 | $25,500,000.00 | 74.93% | Pass |
Plant Facility Levy |
September 2003 | $384,150.00 (1) | 82.19% | Pass |
Bond Levy | September 2000 | $15,200,000.00 | 72.41% | Pass |
Bond Levy | September 1999 | $14,175,000.00 | 55% | Fail |
(1) Amount collected annually for 10 years
(2) Collected annually for 2 years