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When is the Election?
Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at polling locations.
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What is on the ballot?
The bond will fund an Educational Facilities Master Plan that provides direction for the District on meeting our most pressing needs regarding poor condition, overcrowding and improving educational adequacy while ensuring every school receives attention. The bond election is for $172.5 million, which will be paid over 20 years.
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Why is the bond needed?
The need for this bond election is driven by: A Facility Audit that shows growing deferred school maintenance needs (nearly $330 million). Aging schools - 52% of Boise’s schools were built more than a half-century ago and are facing significant maintenance needs & deficiencies.
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What is the district trying to accomplish with this bond?
This bond allows us to reinvest in our local schools and communities without raising the current tax rate.
It’s accountable, addressing critical facility problems now so they don’t cost taxpayers more later.
Addresses overcrowding and gives students access to safe modern classrooms and schools that reflect best practices in education and technology - ensuring students graduate career and college ready.
This bond will create a positive legacy for our children and grandchildren, all without raising the current tax rate.
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What is the impact to taxpayers with this bond?
Passage of this bond issue means District property taxpayers will NOT pay a higher property tax rate, but will continue to pay the existing property tax rate.
The Tax Rate Is not Expected to increase because of the following factors:
- The District can take advantage of reduced interest rates (historically low).
- This bond will create a positive legacy for our children and grandchildren, all without raising the current tax rate.
- The growth in the tax base (market value) will help pay for the bond.
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What is the tax load (bonded indebteness) for the Boise School District as compared to other Idaho school districts?
Boise School District patrons have a bond payment requirement of 70¢ per thousand dollars of current taxable value. Many school districts in Idaho have a typically higher levy rate, to as much as $4.70 per thousand dollars of taxable value, or 7 times as high as the Boise rate. Nearly 70 school districts in Idaho have outstanding bonds. Of those, Boise has the eighth (8th) lowest rate in the State for repayment of bonds.
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What happens to our schools if the bond fails?
With no significant and consistent revenue source to improve school facilities, deteriorating facility conditions in the Boise School District will continue to go largely unaddressed, except for essential maintenance. We will need to look at boundary changes across the District, as well as consolidation of schools in a number of areas.
The facility needs of the District will not go away, in fact, they will intensify over time. The District would need to run another bond election if this one were to fail.
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Who may vote in the March 14, 2017 election?
Any person voting, or offering to vote in this Bond Election must be: eighteen (18) years of age; a United States citizen who has resided in the state of Idaho and in the Boise School District at least thirty (30) days preceding the election; and must be registered to vote in said school district.
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Can I register to vote on the day of the election?
Yes, you may register at the polling places on the day of the election. You must provide proof of your current address when you register. This address must lie within the boundaries of the Boise School District in order for you to vote in this or any Boise School District election. You may prove your residence in any of the following ways: current driver’s license or Idaho identification card; any document which contains a current address together with a picture ID; or a current student identification card from a post-secondary educational institution in Idaho accompanied by a current student fee statement with student’s address, along with a picture identification card. Residents do not have to register if they have voted in a general election in the last four years and have not changed their address.
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Where do I vote?
You may use the Ada County Polling Place Locator by clicking here to find out where to vote.
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When will the polls be open?
The polls will be open from 8 a.m. to until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017.
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Will Early Voting and Absentee Balloting be provided?
Early Voting and Absentee Balloting information is currently not available but will be posted here at a later date.
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Where can I obtain more information?
For more information, contact the following:
- Clerk of the Board, 854-4123
- Public Affairs & Information, 854-4064
- Budget & Finance, 854-4029