Trustees OK elementary levy request

The Kalispell school board approved a $50,679 elementary levy request at a special meeting Tuesday night.

If approved, the levy will increase property taxes by $3.39 on homes with a $100,000 assessed value and by $6.78 on homes with an assessed value of $200,000.

At the high-school level, School District 5 is requesting a $634,547 levy. If voters approve it, the levy will increase property taxes by $19.85 or $39.70 on homes with $100,000 or $200,000 assessed values, respectively.

Voters will see both levies on their ballots May 8.

Also at the meeting, the board approved two new positions: a dean at Flathead High School and a dean/activities director at Kalispell Middle School.

At the board's regular meeting earlier this month, Flathead principal Peter Fusaro told trustees that to maintain accreditation, the school would need a fourth administrator, at least for the 2007 school year.

Without a dean, Flathead's administration would consist of Fusaro and two assistant principals, Mike Lincoln and Frank Jobe. In addition to their administrative duties, Lincoln will be in charge of technology and Jobe will serve as activities director.

With 1,600 students expected next year, another administrator is necessary, Fusaro said. The dean's main focus will be on student discipline and attendance.

"It's something that we just have to have, just to effectively carry out quality education for our students," he said.

At Kalispell Middle School, a dean/activities director will share in administrative duties as well as coordinating activities. While the school operated as a junior high, the high-school activities director coordinated many activities, but with only elementary students at the school next year, that no longer is an option.

The board also approved prices for next year's activities tickets. Season general-admission tickets at both high schools are $50. Reserve seating is an additional $20 at either high school.

Student activity passes are $20. During contests in which Glacier High School competes against Flathead, visiting students will be charged $2 admission; otherwise, the passes cover activities at either school.

The additional charge for cross-town match-ups will help pay for extra security and management, Fusaro said.

"Because those are your biggest-attended games, you have to provide extra coverage," he said.

The board decided not to approve family passes, which would have admitted two parents and as many as four children to contests all season. The passes would have put too much strain on ticket-takers and bookkeepers, District Clerk Todd Watkins said.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.