This page contains a list of frequently asked questions about the upcoming Soda Springs School District Bond Projects. Check back regularly as this page will be updated with new questions and answers. Also, if you have a question about the bond, fill out the form below and we will respond as quickly as possible.
How much will this cost me as a homeowner or land owner? 
  • The amount patrons will be paying for the school district bond will be $300.94 per $100,000 of your home’s  net taxable property value. Please use the tax impact calculator provided to determine the amount based on your specific situation. 
Why is the School District going out for a bond right now?
  • ​The Soda Springs School District #150 continuously monitors the functional condition and projected lifespan of its facilities, as well as the capacity and anticipated student growth at each school. The District has determined that the appropriate time to seek a bond has come. Within this website, there is more details provided about the current status of the proposed facilities impacted by this bond. 
What was the last bond and was it successful?
  • In 2017, The Soda Springs School District Patrons passed a bond which included a gymnasium addition and a classroom addition at Tigert Middle School.  The District was able to successfully complete the project within the bond amount.
Why do we as taxpayers need to fund these new facilities? Doesn't the State fund school building in Idaho?
  • The State of Idaho does not typically fund new buildings. The burden of construction, maintenance, and renovations falls almost entirely on the local community. The only option for construction funds for a project of this size is through bonds. Bonds are then repayed through local property taxes.
What problems are being addressed?
  • The bond proposal includes funding for a replacement high school, situated on the existing high school property, which will be designed to meet current educational needs. Benefits of a new high school include additional classroom spaces and the elimination of detached modular classrooms, added security measures, student commons/cafeteria, functional and efficient heating and cooling, ADA upgrades, additional gymnasium, higher capacity auditorium, more parking and revised vehicle/bus circulation to provide better access in and out of the high school. For more detail about the high school project, click the button below. ​
  • ​​In addition to a new high school, the bond will finance an expansion at Thirkill Elementary. Additional classrooms at Thirkill will facilitate moving 5th grade students from the middle school into the elementary school. The expansion will also include a new gymnasium which is being designed to benefit both the elementary school students and community programs, as well as enhanced parking and parent and bus drop-off/pick-up.
What is the duration of the bond?
  • The bond would be set for a 20-year payoff. 
How is a Bond different than a Levy?
  • Traditional public schools are allowed to receive patron approval to levy property taxes for the support of the school system.  When speaking of a “levy”, the school district is referring to short-term tax which can be used for items such as teacher salaries, technology improvements, and other district operating costs.  Typically, levies only require a simple majority, 50%, to be approved.  When speaking of a “bond”, the school district is referring to a long-term tax which can only be used to construct, remodel, and furnish school building facilities.  In the state of Idaho, school bonds require a supermajority, 66.7%, to be approved.  This means there would need to be at least twice as many votes in support of the bond compared to votes opposing the bond. 
How is our bonding capacity determined?
  • The bonding capacity is determined by the debt capacity of the school district, which is 5% of the market value of property in the school district, less outstanding debt. This is determined by state law (Idaho Code Section 33-1103). Based on those calculations for Soda Springs, the available bonding capacity is $68.5 million.
  • The proposed $55.1 million dollar bond is less than the School District's total bonding capacity, of $68.5 million.
When would these projects take place?
The anticipated start date for both projects is Spring of 2025. The anticipated completion date for the new Soda Springs High School is fall of 2027. The anticipated completion date for the Thirkill Elementary Expansion is to be determined, pending final design. 
Have the projects been designed? 
  • In order to understand projected costs, the District has engaged an architect to provide early programming and conceptual planning. If the bond was passed, the District will have the funds available to complete the design process. 
Is there any way to separate the two bonds? One for the elementary school, and one for the high school? 
  • For a bond measure to appear on a ballot, the ballot language needs to be submitted to the county 60 days before the election. For the November 2024 Election, these two projects cannot be separated. 
  • Additionally, the District constantly monitors the conditions of our facilities, enrollment, and opportunities for our students. The District feels that both projects are equally important and impactful for the community. 

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