Voters reject two Columbia Falls school levies

By narrow margins, Columbia Falls School District voters on Tuesday  defeated two special funding requests.

An $89,555 general fund levy for the elementary district was voted down 745 to 726.

Voters also rejected a $96,434 levy request for the high school district by a 792-754 margin.

Columbia Falls Clerk Dustin Zuffelato said the district will have to make more cuts to prepare a balanced budget by an August deadline.

“We’re operating with less money next year than this year,” Zuffelato said.

Additional state money from Senate Bill 175 wasn’t enough to make up for lower enrollment over a three-year period — translating to less state financial help for the district.

Looming sequestration reductions in federal Title I appropriations may force the district to spend more to continue providing educational supports for at-risk or economically disadvantaged students.

As a result of the failed levies, the elementary district budget may have to be cut $111,652.

On the high school side, Zuffelato said the district estimates a $66,210 deficit.