Twin Falls, Idaho – The Twin Falls School District (TFSD) is urging community members to vote for a renewal of its supplemental levy this November. The levy, which has helped the district for the past 15 years, would provide $7.2 million per year for two years to cover rising costs and replace state maintenance funding.
Why the levy matters to families
TFSD says the supplemental levy is the backbone of its ability to keep schools safe and to offer a full slate of extracurricular activities without charging families up front. The funding pays for school resource officers, armed elementary security guards and behavior‑and‑safety aides – making TFSD one of the few districts in Idaho that provides armed security personnel at every school. District officials argue that these measures are essential to creating a welcoming, protected environment for students.
Staffing and program support
Approximately 80 % of the district’s budget goes to employee costs. The levy supports roughly 34 classified staff members (secretaries, cooks, custodians and classroom aides), 20 certified staff (teachers, instructional coaches and counselors) and four administrative positions. In addition, the levy funds the basic operations of athletics, band, debate, drama and choir, ensuring that families do not face upfront fees for participation.
Tax impact on homeowners
The proposed levy would cost an estimated $86 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value each year – the same rate as the current levy that expires June 30, 2027. If state tax‑relief measures remain in place, the effective rate could drop to about $65 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, meaning the levy would not raise taxes and could even lower the net rate for many homeowners.
How to vote
The Twin Falls School District Board of Trustees emphasizes that levy elections are a critical community decision. Voters can cast their ballots on November 3 at their regular polling places from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more details, residents are directed to the district’s website.
Eric Smallwood, chairman of the TFSD Board of Trustees, said, “Our community has a long tradition of supporting education. This levy renewal allows us to keep our schools safe, well‑staffed and full of opportunities for every student.”
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
