FILER - Members of the Filer School Board need help deciding what to do with excess bond funds.

In May 2008, voters gave the district approval for a $15.6 million bond levy to construct an intermediate school and classroom expansions at the high school, along with roof and parking lot upgrades at the elementary and middle schools.

Filer residents are now being asked to fill out a questionnaire to help determine how approximately $2.2 million in remaining bond money should be spent.

"The economy brought in project bids that were significantly lower than what was budgeted," district superintendent John Graham said. "We started e-mailing questionnaires to parents last week. And we're going around to the senior citizens and groups like Kiwanis to get community input."

The goal is to collect feedback by Wednesday's 7 p.m. school board meeting in the Filer Elementary School library. Results will be prioritized, with time allowed for remaining projects to go out for bid.

Among the project options under consideration is $170,000 for repairs to the high school sprinkler system and campus landscaping for an estimated $100,000.

Paving the middle school's east parking lot for $150,000 and installing $600,000 in air conditioning at Filer Elementary School are also being considered.

Possible athletic facility improvements include building a second softball field for $40,000; $85,000 for a high school baseball field; $50,000 in various improvements, including sod replacement and a sprinkler system on the football field.

Another suggestion is the possibility of using what's left to reduce the district's levy rate and property taxes.

This would lead to savings of about $30 per year for each $100,000 in assessed value.

One drawback to having the construction projects come in under budget, especially for a district expecting to receive between $500,000 and $800,000 less in state funding for the 2010-11 school year, is that none of the money can be saved for future repairs or applied toward immediate school expenses such as text books, teaching supplies or staffing.

Anticipating this shortfall, along with an additional $100,000 reduction in funds to pay monthly bills, the board is also asking if patrons would support a levy to help the district compensate for budget cuts in these areas.

"We would be fine for the next four or five years if we could use the bond money for these things but we can't," Graham said. "Filer is one of the few districts in the Magic Valley that doesn't have a supplemental or plant facility levy, but if decreased funding continues I believe we will have to ask for a supplemental."

Filer School Board Chairwoman Shirley Gailey said public involvement plays a vital role in maintaining a quality school system but participation in discussions on these issues has been limited or nonexistent.

"I have not had anyone contact me to say keep the money, give it back, spend the money or do this," she said.

"The apathy in this community is sad, and this (questionnaire) is our last-ditch effort to get people to call or come forward and comment."

Copies of the questionnaire are available from the Filer School District office at 700 Stevens St. or by e-mailing requests to the district superintendent at j.graham@filer.k12.id.us.

John E. Swayze may be reached at 208-326-7212 or swayzef@aol.com.