After many months of lead-up and interest, the bond equalization vote which will determine whether or not a new Malad Elementary School can be constructed will finally be put before voters next Tuesday, March 14.  Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Event Center at the Fairgrounds, and turnout is expected to be fairly consistent throughout the day. As required by the bonding process, two-thirds of voters must vote “YES” in order for the bond to pass. 

Over the last several months, both community members and organizations have made their views on the new school known, with the City Council, Board of County Commissioners, School District, and PTO expressing firm support for the project, and others expressing concerns or reservations.  Ultimately, the voters of Oneida County will decide the direction the future of education in the district into the foreseeable future.

According to those who have worked in, sent children to, and attended the Malad Elementary, the current school is well-loved.  It has provided a place for the excellent education of thousands of students by hundreds of dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff for the past 70 years. But, according to many of the same people as well as district administrators, the two-story building has major construction problems that cause safety concerns, that do not allow for the use of up-to-date technology, and that cost the District excessive heating bills.

The appearance and old-fashioned design of the current elementary building has discouraged some people from moving to Malad. John Williams, CEO of the local hospital, stated that the hospital has had problems recruiting doctors, nurses, and other staff because the condition of the elementary school has discouraged professional people from potentially locating here. Schools are a major determinant in whether or not people with families move to a new area, and the school’s outdated condition is in need of a sever overhaul. 

Passing the bond necessary for state funds

While the school district has managed to save a large amount as a result of its IHLA attendance, it does not have enough funding on hand to entirely pay for the construction of a new facility.  The bond must pass in order for Oneida School District to qualify for school construction funding under the Idaho Bond Equalization Support Program, which is designed to help small and rural school districts fund projects that would normally be outside their range. Under this bond equalization program, the District would receive a little over $12 million toward the $25 million cost of the proposed school, allowing the district to maximize the impact of the on-hand funding sufficiently to pay for the school.  

The State of Idaho passed the Bond Equalization Support Program in 2002 when disparities between property-poor districts and property-rich districts meant that some districts would never be able to build new schools without state assistance. The Bond Equalization rate varies each year and has been between 35% and 41% for Oneida School District with a five-year average of 36.3%. The current bond equalization rate for Oneida School District is 38.08%, which means that if a bond is passed, the state would pay 38.08% of the annual bond payments and interest.

The bond is for $29 million, because it also takes into account the costs of the potential demolition of the current elementary school building, the demolition of the old high school building, and new baseball/softball diamonds, which will be constructed near the current High School and Middle School. The State determines the maximum size of a bond, depending on property values in the District. That bond capacity for Oneida School District is $29 million.

Oneida School District reports it has funds for its share of the New School

Superintendent Jon Abrams and the Oneida School Board have stated throughout the long discussion of the new school that the bond will have no impact on local property taxes because the District has its share of the required funds to build the new elementary school on hand. According to the School Board, this is not free money but money that has been allocated to the District on the basis of the State’s formula for funding schools.

In 2015, Oneida School District became the home district of record for the Idaho Home Learning Academy (IHLA), an online school with students – mostly school-at-home students – throughout the state of Idaho. IHLA began with about 200 elementary students, but COVID caused an explosion in the number of students enrolled in IHLA, which expanded to include middle and high school grades. The result was Oneida School District student enrollment going from under 1000 brick-and-mortar students to over 8000 total students in 2023. IHLA is already enrolling students for its eighth year.

Oneida School District now qualifies for state funding for over 8000 students. Because State money is paid to schools in the next year after enrollment figures are confirmed, the money for the 2021-2022 school year will be in the bank by the end of the current school year. That funding will provide the District’s share of the $29 million bond, thus paying for the new elementary school regardless of any enrollment or population changes in the following years.

This state funding is allocated only for schools; it cannot be used for any other purpose. 

The structure of Idaho’s Bond Equalization means that the bond will not have any effect on any future bonding that may be needed in Oneida County or Malad City for the hospital, fire station, jail, roads and bridges, or any other purpose, as it is specifically devoted to educational purposes rather than other countywide expenses, and those institutions would go through their own bonding processes.

Key to this opportunity to build a new school without raising property taxes is the passing of the bond in order for the District to qualify for the State’s share of funding. As the bond is paid off, bond capacity would allow for consideration of building an auditorium and/or field house.

Contact Superintendent

The School Board and Superintendent Abrams have been exceptionally willing to reach out to the community over the last several months to answer questions and address concerns about the bond vote.  A number of public meetings, including at least one open public hearing, have been held for discussion of the project.  Mr. Abrams has also met with many individuals and groups around the community in the past few weeks, and even on the eve of the vote has expressed his willingness to continue meeting with anyone who would like further information about the proposed elementary school.  He reiterated his encouragement to people to call him at his office (208-534-6080 ext. 412) or on his cell phone (208-705-3723) after 8 a.m. and before 10 p.m.  Issues have been raised on social media and other places in the community that Abrams stated he would be happy to talk through with those with concerns.

Mr. Abrams and the School Board have stated that they want to provide the best education possible for the students of Oneida School District, and a firm belief that a new elementary school is needed to achieve that goal.  

In order to be fully informed, The Enterprise encourages voters to seek out as much information as they can on the subject, while making sure to verify the claims made by parties making arguments for or against the bond.