Filer School District

• FSD has recently acquired 17 acres of land at the corner of Highway 30 and Stevens Ave.

• Yes, the district is investing in several projects including reconfiguration of the elementary parking lot, resurfacing the intermediate parking lot and playground, and acquiring land for the future middle school.  Additionally, FSD has allocated funds for remodeling the auditorium, which includes new seating, flooring, upgraded lighting, and an improved sound system.

• The building still has significant potential for various uses beyond serving as a school. Possible future uses include housing the city recreation department, providing space for after-school programs, hosting community events, and serving as additional or overflow space for the district as needed.  The auditorium will continue to be utilized for the school district and community event.

• The last bond passed for Filer School District was in 2008.

• The bond amount was established through a multi-year process. It began with the Long-Range Planning Committee identifying district needs and presenting them to the school board. The Bond Committee then reviewed these needs, gathered estimates, prioritized the top three most critical projects, and presented their recommendations to the board.

• $302 per 100k of taxable value.
• Bond History and Current Proposal
  • In 2008, Filer voters approved a 20-year bond for $16.4 million. The cost to taxpayers, including the supplemental levy, was approximately $387 per $100,000 of assessed value and remained steady for 17 years. Thanks to additional payments made by the district, the bond is being paid off early. As a result, the tax impact began to decrease in 2021 and will no longer be collected starting in 2025. This bond funded the construction of the Intermediate School.
  • The new bond proposal is for $52 million over 20 years. The estimated cost to taxpayers, including the supplemental levy, is $352 per $100,000 of assessed value.

Amount per 100k   Taxable Description

                    380   Initial Bond Cost

                     -78   School Facilities Fund Credit

                  =302   Initial Bond Cost Minus Credit

                    +50   Supplemental Levy

                  =352   Total Tax Impact (Bond Cost + Supplemental Levy)

• The bond will be a 20-year term.

• Academic space, physical education space, gymnasium.

• The track has deteriorated beyond its useful life and no longer safe or appropriate for competition. Additionally, the football field has a significant crown, creating an uneven playing surface.

• The District’s current bonding capacity is $62 million, which represents the maximum amount that can be borrowed. However, financial advisors have recommended keeping the request around $52 million, which is the amount being proposed.

• Any remaining funds will be allocated to additional projects identified in the site improvement assessments to further enhance district facilities.

• The Long-Range Planning Committee initially explored the option of constructing a new high school and relocating the middle school to the current high school building. However, with the district's bonding capacity set at $62 million and the cost of a new high school significantly exceeding that of a middle school, the funding is simply not sufficient to pursue that option at this time.

• The last bond ($16.4 million) had an average cost of approximately $354 per $100k of assessed property value over the past 19 years.

• FSD is investing in the arts by remodeling the auditorium to better accommodate performances and events. Additionally, the expansion of CTE space at the high school will free up classrooms in the main building, allowing the art department to have dedicated space and improved facilities.

• The current middle school only has space for 7th and 8th grades. The new middle school would expand to serve 6th through 8th grades. This change would allow 3rd grade to move to the intermediate school, which in turn would free up space at the elementary school—helping to reduce overcrowding and better accommodate enrollment across buildings.

  Proposed grade level breakdown:

  FES-K-2

  FIS- 3-5

  FMS- 6-8

  FHS- 9-12

• 66.67% yes votes are needed to pass

• Early voting begins three weeks before a primary or general election and two weeks before any other election. The last day for early voting is always the Friday before the election. The early voting center is located at Twin Falls County West, 630 Addison Ave. W, on the first floor. The early voting office is only open during early voting. If you need assistance any other time, please go to the Recorder’s office on the 2nd floor.