No school cuts planned after levy rejection

History repeated itself in Tuesday’s Kalispell Public Schools election when an elementary levy request passed and a high school building reserve levy request failed.

The difference this time is that the vote was close — a positive sign, according to Superintendent Darlene Schottle, who remains optimistic that a future high school building reserve levy eventually will pass as the economy improves.

After provisional votes were verified and added to the total, 3,728 voters supported the high school building reserve levy while 3,929 opposed.

The $4,127,915 five-year building reserve would have funded high school district building repairs, maintenance and technology.

Although the building reserve failed, there are no plans to cut educational programming or personnel.

As far as making repairs or replacements, the high school district is at a standstill. Repairs or replacements will be made if something, such as a boiler, breaks and poses a safety hazard.

“Our biggest concern right now is the heating and ventilation components at Flathead are not working and the roof leaks,” Schottle said.

If something does break that poses a safety concern, the district has about $100,000 in contingency money from the 2005-10 high school building reserve set aside for emergencies. The school board also has the option of returning to the public with another levy request after 90 days.

One notable difference in voting between elementary and high school levies is that partner districts in areas outside Kalispell that send students to Flathead and Glacier high schools are able to vote on high school issues.

 Kalispell voters favored the high school district reserve levy by 2,324 votes and 1,879 opposing.

 Voters outside Kalispell, however, went the other direction: 2,050 against the levy and 1,404 in favor.

Following is a breakdown of voting for the high school reserve request:

Kalispell

For — 2,324

Against — 1,879

v High School District 1 (Pleasant Valley, Marion, Smith Valley, Kuhns/Bissell, West Valley)

For — 365

Against — 551

v High School District 2 (Helena Flats, Evergreen)

For — 243

Against — 362

v High School District 3 (Deer Park, Fair-Mont-Egan, Creston, Cayuse Prairie)

For — 290

Against — 400

v High School District 4 (Kila, Lakeside, Somers)

For — 506

Against — 737

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.