The Kimberly School District recently faced significant community backlash following the failure of a $57.8 million bond and a $5 million levy. During a school board meeting, trustee Chad Allen expressed surprise at the level of anger and frustration from the community, stating, “I don’t know what the values of the community are.”
Community Voices Concerns
At the meeting, Kimberly resident Steve Long addressed the board, emphasizing that the community had spoken by defeating the bond by a 7-1 margin. The bond, which required 67% support to pass, only received 14% and would have funded a fine arts center, gym, and athletic fields. The levy, needing 55% to pass, received 35% and was intended for building maintenance.
Trustee Zachary Kelsey noted the lack of feedback during the bond planning process, contrasting it with the high community engagement on social issues like mask mandates and transgender topics. Board Clerk Cassandra Searby lamented the minimal direct communication from the community, urging residents to engage more with the district directly rather than online.
Trustees Reflect on the Process
Trustee Leah Meeks highlighted that feedback only increased after the bond was on the ballot, making changes impossible. Superintendent Luke Schroeder shared that despite hearing community desires for an auditorium and sports complex, funding remains a challenge. He also expressed frustration over misinformation spreading on social media, which he believes has eroded trust in the district.
Trustee Emilie Carlson viewed the election as a democratic process, stating that decisions involving taxpayer money should be voted on. Despite the setback, Schroeder defended the trustees’ intentions, emphasizing that they aimed to reflect community desires through the ballot process.
As the district navigates the aftermath, Schroeder acknowledged the challenge of combating misinformation and maintaining clear communication with the community. He noted that similar issues are prevalent in districts across the state.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
