Emmett board directs staff to pursue $2.3 million levy to fund behavioral supports and maintenance

The Emmett Independent District board directed staff to pursue a $2.3 million levy option for the May 2026 ballot, with the intention of funding a behavioral support program for elementary grades, increased custodial and maintenance expenditures and other modernization priorities.

Staff told trustees that under the state funding structure referenced as House Bill 292, roughly 85% of a $2.3 million levy would be covered by the state credit, leaving a net local impact quoted in discussion of approximately $10.01 per $100,000 of assessed value (district staff framed the figure as an illustrative example). "If we don't get 2.3, we can't have the teachers," one trustee said during discussion of program staffing and funding trade-offs.

District staff described the levy breakout discussed in work sessions: approximately $3.345 million in new money under the larger scenario, with proposed allocations that included roughly $300,000 for a behavioral support program, $700,000 for custodial and light maintenance and funds directed to a 10-year maintenance plan. Staff noted the levy would be run as a two-year supplemental if approved and that the district would need to plan for sustaining personnel after the levy period ends.

Trustees discussed community outreach plans—surveys, PTO engagement, teacher-produced social media, and consultant support from Target River—but also noted legal limits on campaigning by district staff and on the use of marketing. Staff said a March 9 internal deadline and a March 13 county filing deadline would govern ballot preparation.

Board discussion also touched on turnout and required yes votes: trustees estimated prior non-general-election turnout in the low thousands and said the district would need roughly 1,500 yes votes to pass a typical supplemental levy in a mid-turnout election. Several trustees voiced support for the larger $2.3 million option; one trustee suggested starting with a lower amount depending on community feedback, but the board ultimately directed staff to prepare materials for the $2.3 million scenario and to return with finalized language.

Next steps: staff will refine the levy resolution and ballot language, prepare community education materials and a proposed outreach plan, and return to the board by the March 9 meeting to meet county filing deadlines.