Levy request possible for high schools

A levy request, at least at the high school level, is likely to be on the May 2016 ballot for Kalispell Public Schools.

This was a takeaway from a presentation Tuesday on the general fund budget, enrollment projections and how the district compares to its Class AA counterparts.

Kalispell Public Schools Clerk Gwyn Anderson presented the school board with an early glimpse of what would be necessary to maintain the status quo at the elementary and high school districts for the 2016-17 school year.

“At the elementary we believe we will be fine [without a levy request], but that elementary budget would be status quo,” Anderson said. “We’ll be able to maintain what we have now, but we won’t have room for any additional programs or staff.

On the horizon for elementary district voters could be bond funding requests for the construction of a new school or schools. Facility planning discussions are currently underway to discern needs and costs.

“On the high school side, it just looks very much like we will need a levy to order to continue to operate on the status quo,” Anderson said noting that the high school budget could increase by about $174,088 without a vote based on preliminary projections.

The high school district has had a history of rejected levies. Most recently in 2014 high school district voters rejected a technology levy while the elementary district approved the same request totaling $6 million over 10 years.

The last time high school district voters approved a levy was in 2007.

If trustees ultimately decide to seek public funding approval, they could request either a general fund, building reserve or technology levy.

A technology levy goes toward the rental, purchase or maintenance of technology and training. Building reserve funds are used for construction, purchasing land, enlarging schools or making improvements such as replacing a roof.

Money raised by a general fund levy can be used for a broad range of day-to-day operation and facility maintenance expenses such as building repairs, personnel, classroom supplies, textbooks and technology. There is no expiration of a general fund levy, unlike the other levies that can go up to 10 or 20 years.

Both the elementary and high school districts’ general fund budgets have room for growth in making improvements to facilities, staffing or curriculum.

“We have room for growth that’s actually a good thing. You don’t want to be bumping up against your caps all the time because it limits your decision-making,” Anderson said.

School districts must budget between a minimum of 80 percent of the state funding formula and the maximum 100 percent.

Compared to Montana’s six other AA districts, Kalispell spends less per pupil.

This doesn’t mean that Kalispell Public Schools is offering subpar programs — quite the opposite, according to Superintendent Mark Flatau.

“At the same time, if we were to ask a general fund levy, we are not out of the norm in regard to other AA’s,” Flatau said.

The Kalispell elementary district currently budgets 94 percent of the maximum while its AA peers operate between 98 to 100 percent.  

At the high school level, Glacier and Flathead currently budget 93 percent of the maximum. All but two of its AA counterparts are operating at 100 percent.  

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.