Central Idaho Voters will Have to Pay State for School Repair Loans

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Voters in Salmon in east-central Idaho have for the ninth time in as many years rejected a plan to raise taxes to repair or replace dilapidated schools.

KIFI-TV reports that voters on Tuesday rejected a $3.6 million bond 1,184 to 354 to put new roofs on the elementary and middle schools. Voters rejected a $14.5 million bond 901-645 to build a new school to serve students kindergarten through eighth grade.

Following the defeat, the state is expected to step in and loan the district money for new roofing, ultimately leaving taxpayers with a debt owed to the state. The money will come from the state's Public Schools Facilities Cooperative Funding Program intended to help districts fix safety problems at schools, but unable to win financial backing locally.