29 September 2023 — 2006 mdt
Will voters approve four levies for Kalispell’s
schools when property values are out of control?
By James Conner
Kalispell’s elementary and high school districts are putting four six-figure levies to the voters this fall. It’s an all mail ballot election, and the ballots are due Tuesday, 3 October.
Each district is running safety and technology levies.
The levies
This summary is mostly for readers who do not live in Kalispell.
The elementary district is asking approval of 15.6 mils, to raise $1.5 million a year for safety, and the same amounts for technology.
The high school district is asking approval of 6.8 mils to raise $1.6 million for saftey, and for 4.25 mils to raise $1 million a year for technology.
Owners of homes with an assessed value of $444,700, the median for Flathead County, will pay approximately $250 more year. That’s on top of the the state levied property taxes that will increase significantly because the legislature failed to follow its usual practice and compensate by passing legislation to reduce the tax rate.
What you will pay if all levies pass
Table by James Conner.
Here’s the breakdown that the school districts mailed to voters. Residents of the elementary district will suffer significantly larger tax increases than residents of the high school district.
The letter-sized, four-color, card had plenty of room to let voters know they're being asked to pony up millions of dollars, but omits that information. Therefore that information was omitted to protect taxpayers from sticker shock. That tactic does not build trust.
Doherty’s eloquent, heartfelt, appeal for Yes votes
At the Flathead Beacon, Maggie Doherty makes a strong case for supporting the levies, but admits concern they won’t pass.
As reported in this newspaper and media outlets across the state, Montana is facing a crisis in its schools. Statewide, there are shortages of educators, and compounding this is the necessary funding needed to adequately supply technologies and instruction to ensure that our students receive even the most basic educational opportunities. Montana students face a myriad of issues, including mental health resources and they deserve an opportunity to have access to qualified staff. Supporting all four levies on the ballot will help give our children the opportunities they need.
It’s been nearly 20 years since a high school levy was passed, and the lack of support is an embarrassing travesty. Not only is the Flathead Valley increasing in population at a dramatic rate, but the needs of our students are also changing. The two measures the high school district is asking voters to approve are in the critical areas of security and technology. Last spring, voters rejected the high school’s ballot proposals. We’re long overdue, so it’s time to vote yes for the high school district. Whether you’ve recently moved here or the valley is your hometown, part of why we love living here so much is how incredible our school system is. Our public schools need us now more than ever, so if you’re part of the Wolfpack or a Brave, this is your chance to endorse our incredible schools.
Unfortunately, the Montana GOP hasn’t done the school system any favors with its outrageous property tax hikes, and I fear that the modest levies on this fall’s special election ballot will sour voters. It’s a difficult ask, and I know that deep down, this community wants to see its students thrive. Schools are the backbone of our community, and even if you don’t have children or perhaps your kids have graduated, it makes sense to approve these measures. No one likes paying taxes and it’s difficult to stomach another tax increase after the property tax blow, but the investment in our public school system is one that benefits the entire community. We must consider the opportunities that our tax dollars will offer our students, even if the state’s supermajority in Helena has made it extremely difficult to fund even the most basic educational measures.
The elementary levies are the most likely to pass
One or both of the elementary levies may win approval. I think the safety levy is more likely to win approval. But I wouldn’t wager even half a bottle of muscatel that the high school levies will pass.
Voters are rightly concerned that property taxes are going to skyrocket because of the legislature’s feckless refusal to approve legislation compensating for the enormous increases in the appraised value of their home. In addition, I think there will be considerable anger at the school board for running an early fall election — early so that people will not have their new tax bills in hand — that’s essentially a sneak election for which a low turnout, disproportionately of teachers and school staff, might be expected.
I mailed my ballot today. I’m confident it will arrive on or before Tuesday. But those who have not yet mailed their ballots should deliver them in person to the school districts’ headquarters at 514 East Washington Street in Kalispell.