School levy goes to voters Tuesday

Voters in the Mountain Home School District will go to the polls Tuesday, March 11, to decide whether or not to renew the existing supplemental levy for the district.

Like the levy approved by the voters two years ago, the current request calls for $2.7 million each year for the next two years.

"It will not raise your taxes," said Supt. Tim McMurtrey, "since everyone is already paying this amount."

The levy represents 13 percent of the school district's budget and is being sought to make up for losses in state and federal funding, which began in 2008-2009 after the economic meltdown. The district made most of its more drastic cuts in those years, and since then has tried to maintain a steady balance of core curriculum and enrichment programs, despite its budget being down more than $4 million from what it was in 2008.

"The levy is vital to our operations," McMurtrey said. "All we're asking for is to maintain the status quo" in terms of number of teachers and both academic and extracurricular programs.

Neither the administration nor the school board are offering any doom and gloom scenarios if the levy fails. "We think the voters understand the need and will renew this levy next Tuesday," McMurtrey said. "We have confidence in the patrons of this district to do the right thing."

Because the county is now responsible for handling all elections, voters will use their regular county precinct polling sites to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, in-person absentee also is available in advance of Tuesday. Electors can vote by in-person absentee ballot from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until this Friday, March 7, at the courthouse. Photo identification is required in order to vote.

Same-day voter registration also is available. Photo identification and proof of residency is required in order to register to vote and the voter must also vote at the same time he or she registers.

A simple majority is required to approve the levy.

Currently, due largely to cuts in state funding, more than 90 percent of all school districts in the state either have a supplemental levy in place or are asking voters to approve one this year.