Teton School District board authorizes plan to pursue larger supplemental levy, approves ballot preparations

The Teton School District Board of Trustees voted to empower district staff to advance a three-year budget strategy and prepare ballot language for a proposed supplemental levy increase, after a presentation from Superintendent Brian.

Brian told the board the plan maps out steps to reduce vulnerability to possible state funding cuts and to invest in district priorities. He said the board’s preferred “optimal path forward” would require raising the district’s supplemental levy from the current 4.9 figure to 6.5 (as presented to the board), and that that change would “raise about $18 per 100,000, per household in the valley.” The superintendent outlined a communications plan that includes mailers, town halls, PTO outreach and presentations to civic groups.

The proposal bundles several elements the administration described as core to district operations over the next three years: addressing enrollment declines (ADA adjustments), targeted staffing changes and program priorities, and a set of system corrections intended to reduce long‑term costs. Brian said the district has trimmed some positions through attrition and is aiming to protect classroom services while adjusting staffing and other expenses.

Board members asked for clarification on timeline and ballot procedures. Diane (administrative staff referenced in the packet) and the superintendent noted deadlines for filing and said the board would return with final ballot language; trustees discussed filing windows in August for a November ballot. The agenda motion asked the board to authorize administrative staff to move forward with the budget strategy and preparations for placing the supplemental levy question before voters. Trustee (Speaker 1) moved the language empowering staff to proceed; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: district leaders said the levy would blunt the effect of modest state cuts and preserve current programs. The administration framed the proposal as a measured, communicated ask to the community to stabilize district finances for the next three years.

Next steps: the board authorized staff to complete ballot language and a community outreach plan; trustees will consider final materials and filing dates at a future meeting.