District overview
Richfield School District #316
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How Richfield's school is paid for and who decides
Richfield School District #316 runs one K-12 school in Richfield, Lincoln County, Idaho, with 212 students this fall. About nine of every ten general fund dollars come from the state of Idaho, so the state budget sets most of what the district can spend. A two-year $180,000 supplemental levy, renewed by voters in May 2026, pays for support staff and activities. A five-member Board of Trustees, each elected from a zone to a four-year term, adopts the budget and oversees Superintendent Scott Guthrie, who took over from Mike Smith in July 2026.
Mostly state money
State revenue was $2.66 million of the $2.91 million general fund in 2025-26.
Local levy
$180,000 a year for classified staff, extracurriculars and student activities, renewed May 19, 2026.
Savings spent on building
The general fund balance fell $439,577 in 2025-26, partly for the district office project.
Five elected trustees
Zones 2 and 3 are next up in November 2027.
Auditors found no material weaknesses, the district still had about $1.43 million in its general fund at June 30, 2026, and staff say bond payments are saved two years ahead.
Where the district stands
Down from $3.38 million amended for 2025-26; scanned table.
Down from $1,867,445 a year earlier.
Major projects
District office construction
in progressConstruction of a new district office began in December 2025 after a final bid with HVAC of nearly $700,000. In May 2026 staff reported $500,000 of carryover and $225,000 of modernization money used.
- Final bid near $700,000
- $725,000 spent from carryover and modernization funds
Funding
Carryover ($500,000) and modernization funds ($225,000)
Recent news
Board agendas and minutes from the district's public Google Drive folders (November 2025 to October 2026), the 2025-26 audit, 2025-26 and 2026-27 budgets, levy report, improvement plan and student device policy, read in full.
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