jhancock@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - Janie Gebhardt, vice chairwoman of School District 25, said Tuesday's vote on the district's proposed levy is "extremely important."

"We don't have control over what we use our allotted funds for," Gebhardt said on Saturday. "We get money from the state and federal governments, but that's earmarked for specific uses. It doesn't pay for things like heating the school."

District 25 is holding its biannual levy vote on Tuesday and is asking for a $7.5 million supplemental levy, an increase of $1.5 million over the prior levy.

The purpose of the levy is to fill the gaps between state funding and local needs and more than two-thirds of Idaho's school district use the supplemental source to fund operations, according to the district's Web site.

"It's used for basic stuff. We don't have a lot of discretionary money in the district," Gebhardt said. "(The supplemental levy) goes toward things like insurance, heat and lights. Those things have increased in cost and there isn't money from the state to fund those things."

Two reasons the district gives on its Web site for requesting the $1.5 million in additional funds is an increase of $1.3 million in its fixed costs, and a notification that the State Department of Education plans to cut funding by between 6 and 10 percent for fiscal 2010, which starts July 1.

Those heading out to vote on Tuesday can cast their ballot at any of the district's elementary schools, Holt Arena and the Greater Pocatello Senior Citizens Center between noon and 8 p.m. It is a simple yes/no ballot that the voter will be presented with.