Caldwell levy passes by 78 votes

The Caldwell School District secured $5.8 million in supplemental funding after voters approved the levy by a margin of 78 votes on Wednesday. The measure, which passed by less than half a percentage point, provides the district with resources for two years. The vote concluded a campaign that drew attention to local budget gaps and classroom staffing needs.

The narrow outcome prompted some residents to emphasize the importance of individual participation. Ruthie Katzenberger, a Caldwell resident and Caldwell High School alum, described the close count as a reason for her family to ensure they were present at the polls. She stated that the small difference in votes made showing up essential for her household. Katzenberger has three children and noted that her family has experienced specific challenges that she believes the new funding could help address.

Katzenberger said one of her children attends Elevate Academy, a charter school, because the district has historically lacked the resources for specific therapeutic options. Her daughter requires additional support for dyslexia and anxiety. Katzenberger expressed a belief that her daughter would attend Caldwell School District schools if the district had the funding for the necessary therapy and support options. She noted differences between Caldwell schools and other districts, pointing to athletic equipment, para-educator support, and student therapies as areas where the district currently lags.

District officials outlined how the $5.8 million will be distributed. Leslie Solis, director of communications for the Caldwell School District, stated that $3.5 million of the total is allocated toward classroom staffing. This portion of the budget is intended to help the district retain teachers and remain competitive with surrounding school districts. Solis noted that adding programs requires new staff, whether in the district office or within classrooms, and emphasized that the majority of the funds support classroom operations.

The remaining funding is allocated across several specific categories. The district has set aside $550,000 for activities and athletics and $475,000 for school safety and security. An additional $475,000 will support behavioral and mental health services, while $400,000 is designated for student transportation. The district also allocated $175,000 for accelerated learning programs and $225,000 for grounds upkeep and maintenance. These allocations address areas cited by voters and community members during the campaign.

Taxpayer cost was a primary concern for some voters during the campaign. The official ballot language listed an annual cost of $99.70 per $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. State law required the district to use this specific figure on the ballot. However, Solis explained that this number does not account for more than $4 million in state facilities funding that will offset the local tax burden. This offset significantly reduces the amount neighbors will pay out of pocket.

According to district estimates, the state funding brings the effective levy cost to roughly $18 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year. This equates to approximately $1.50 per month for the average homeowner. Solis provided a specific example for a household with a property value of $350,000, estimating the annual cost at about $62. This figure reflects the net impact on residents after state offsets are applied.

The levy is set to take effect on July 1, 2027. The district described the measure as a tool to close the gap between state funding and current expenditures. The additional resources will allow the district to maintain existing programs while enhancing services in areas such as mental health support and staffing.