Bonneville Joint School District #93 Asks Idaho Voters to Approve $9.6 Million Annual Supplemental Levy on May 19th
Voters in Bonneville Joint School District #93 in eastern Idaho will head to the polls on May 19th to decide whether to approve a supplemental levy that would authorize $9.6 million per year for two years — a significant increase from the district’s current $5.8 million levy, which has not been raised since 2017. The outcome will have direct consequences for staffing, classroom resources, extracurricular programs, and student safety across the district.
Carissa Coats, Chair of the Bonneville Joint School District #93 Board of Trustees and a mother of four students enrolled in the district, has outlined what the proposed levy would fund and what taxpayers can expect to pay if it passes.
What the Levy Would Cost Bonneville County Taxpayers
If approved, the levy would represent an estimated increase of $47.20 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value — roughly $4 more per month for every $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. The current levy, set in 2017, has not kept pace with rising operational costs, leaving district officials to argue that a funding adjustment is now necessary to maintain existing services.
Idaho state funding alone, officials say, does not fully cover the cost of the educational programs and staffing levels the community has come to expect. The supplemental levy is designed to bridge that gap without expanding government beyond the district’s existing scope of services.
How the $9.6 Million Would Be Allocated
The proposed levy breaks down across a range of operational and instructional priorities. The largest single allocation — $2.5 million — would go toward classified support staff, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, nutrition staff, aides, and office personnel. These roles are foundational to daily school operations.
Close to $1 million is earmarked for teachers and counselors, while $900,000 would support classroom resources and supplies. The levy also dedicates $1.2 million to full-day kindergarten instruction for all students in the district — an investment Coats identified as a personal priority given the long-term impact of early childhood education.
Extracurricular and enrichment programs also receive significant funding under the proposal. Coaches and extracurricular advisors would receive $950,000, activity transportation $300,000, and physical education and music programs $900,000. The district’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program would receive $400,000, continuing services for students who require accelerated academic challenge.
Student safety is addressed through a $400,000 allocation for School Resource Officers and $500,000 for student well-being programs. Additional funding would support administrators ($210,000), facility maintenance including fertilization and weed control ($200,000), and Career Technical Education (CTE) program expansion ($150,000).
District officials have been direct about the stakes: without the levy increase, the district would face difficult decisions involving staffing reductions and program cuts that would affect students across Bonneville County.
Property Values, Workforce, and Community Investment
Proponents of the levy argue that strong public schools serve the broader economic interests of Bonneville County by supporting property values and attracting families and businesses to the region. While the tax increase is real and not insignificant for homeowners, district leadership contends the return on that investment is visible in the quality of education and community stability that well-funded schools provide.
The levy does not propose new programs or expansion of district government — it is framed as a maintenance measure to preserve services already in place and expected by families throughout the Idaho Falls area and surrounding communities served by District #93.
What Comes Next
Bonneville Joint School District #93 voters will cast ballots on May 19, 2026. If the levy passes, the $9.6 million annual authorization would remain in place for two years, replacing the existing $5.8 million levy. If it fails, district officials have indicated they will face difficult budget decisions that could result in reductions to staffing and programs. Voters are encouraged to review levy details through the district directly before heading to the polls. For broader education coverage across Idaho, visit Idaho News and the Idaho News Network.