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MARCH 14, 2023 UPDATE
Unofficial vote totals from Canyon and Ada counties show 56.34% approval of our bond -- short of the 66.7% needed to pass. Thank you to all in our community who took the time to share information in advance of today’s bond election. While we are disappointed in the outcome, we look forward to continuing the conversation with our communities about how to meet the needs of the children we serve in our fast-growing community.
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VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING Q & A
Kuna Superintendent Wendy Johnson and district officials answer questions from the community about the upcoming bond.
Virtual Q&A
Facebook Live
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March 14, 2023 Bond Election
March 14, 2023 Bond Election
On March 14, Kuna School District voters will consider a $111.4 million bond to pay for Phase 1 of a 10-year plan to reduce overcrowding and prepare for growth by adding more learning spaces.
Specifically, the bond would provide funding for:
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- New school would serve 600+students
- Elementary schools would be rezoned to help reduce overcrowding
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- Convert old wood shop into classrooms and labs
- Add an auxiliary gym with a wrestling room, locker rooms, restrooms
- Expand cafeteria
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- Add six new classrooms
- Add a competition gym with bleachers, locker rooms, restrooms, lobby
- Add new parking lot with drop off & pick lane
- Add tennis courts
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Swan Falls 28-room classroom wing & athletic additions
- Add 28 classrooms
- Add a competition gym, two auxiliary gyms
- Add physical education and practice fields
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First phase of an operations annex to improve busing services
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Safety & maintenance needs
➡️ Review the Bond Resolution approved by the Kuna school board on December 13, 2022.
➡️ Review the Community Presentation
Understanding the March 14, 2023 Ballot and Tax Rate Impact
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FAQs Voting
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Where's my polling place?
Idaho Code 34-302 requires counties to set the polling place no later than the fifth Friday before any election for this election that would be Friday, Feb. 10.
You can use this link to find your polling place for the March 14 election.
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Who can I call with voting questions?
Contact the election department in the county where you live.
Ada County Elections
(208) 287-6860
elections@adacounty.id.govCanyon County Elections
(208) 454-7562 electionsclerk@canyoncounty.id.gov
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Who can vote in the March 14, 2023 Bond Election?
- a Kuna School District resident
- a United States citizen
- at least 18 years on election day
- a registered voter (individuals may register at the polls on election day.)
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What will the ballot say?
CLICK TO REVIEW SAMPLE BALLOT
BELOW IS THE RESOLUTION APPROVED BY THE KUNA BOARD OF TRUSTEES DECEMBER 2022
OFFICIAL BALLOT
SPECIAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ELECTION
JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 3,
ADA AND CANYON COUNTIES, STATE OF IDAHOMarch 14, 2023
Shall the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Joint School District No. 3, Ada and Canyon Counties, State of Idaho (the “District”), be authorized to issue general obligation school bonds of the District in the principal amount not to exceed $111,445,000 for the purpose of financing the costs of (i) construction of a new elementary school; (ii) renovations and additions to Kuna Middle School and Fremont Middle School; (iii) construction of an additional classroom wing and athletic additions to Swan Falls High School; (iv) construction of an additional bus facility; and (v) various maintenance projects throughout the District; including in each case all related site work, supporting infrastructure, furnishings and equipment; the final installment of such bonds to fall due not later than twenty-seven (27) years from the date of issuance, all as provided in the Bond Election Resolution adopted by the Board on December 13, 2022?
The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue is 4.06% per annum. The total amount estimated to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $183,380,200 consisting of $111,445,000 in principal, plus $79,928,000 of interest, less $7,992,800 in estimated bond levy equalization payments. The term of the bonds will not exceed twenty-seven (27) years from the date of issuance.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy is a tax of $128 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The District’s existing bond levy is expected to decrease by $128 per $100,000. Therefore, if the proposed bonds are approved, the estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer is not expected to increase based on current conditions.
As of March 14, 2023, the total existing bonded indebtedness of the District, including interest accrued, is $33,738,405.
IN FAVOR of issuing bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $111,445,000 for the purposes stated in the question above
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AGAINST issuing bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $111,445,000 for the purposes stated in the question above
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FAQ Videos By School
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Q&A Crimson Point Elementary School
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Q&A Fremont Middle School
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Q&A Hubbard Elementary School
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Q&A Indian Creek Elementary School
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Q&A Initial Point High School
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Q&A Kuna Middle School
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Q&A Kuna/Swan Falls High Schools
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Q&A Reed Elementary School
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Q&A Ross Elementary School
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Q&A Silver Trail Elementary School
FAQs Bond
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Understanding the Ballot and Tax Rate Impact video
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What would be the tax impact of the bond?
The district's bond tax levy is projected to stay the same if the $111,445,000 bond is approved by voters March 14, 2023.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond levy is a tax of $128 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions.
The district’s existing bond levy is expected to decrease by $128 per $100,000.
The current rate for the existing bond (debt) is $1.55 per $1,000 or $155 per $100,000 of taxable value. If approved, the new bond (debt) is not going to impact the existing bond rate of $1.55. The rate is expected to remain the same at $1.55 for both: existing and new debt combined.
Therefore, if the proposed bonds are approved, the estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer for bonds -- $155 per $100,000 is not expected to increase based on current conditions.
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If the bond passes, would Swan Falls become a stand-alone high school?
Yes. The bond would fund Phase 2 of the school and add the space needed to expand into a second high school.
Swan Falls will need to continue to share sports and music performance spaces with Kuna High until the
Phase 2 expansion includes:
- 28 classrooms
- gymnasium
- physical education fields
Swan Falls was designed to be built in phases.
2017 Bond - Provided
- Construction trades classroom & lab
- Diesel mechanics classroom & lab
- Automotive classroom & lab
- General classrooms
- Cafeteria
- Offices
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Where would the new elementary school be built?
The district owns land for an elementary school east of Meridian Road. This would likely be the location.
A district committee would be formed to make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on rezoning elementary attendance areas prior to the opening of the school.
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Don't district get impact fees to build schools?
No. Unlike other states, Idaho does not allow school districts to require impact fees on developments.
Our Board of Trustees is working with the City of Kuna and others to change Idaho law. In the meantime, the Board has used research to ask developers to voluntary provide a contribution to mitigate the cost of growth.
Learn more here.