Smith Valley ballots due on March 28

Smith Valley voters are reminded to mail in ballots this week on a $6 million school bond issue in order to meet a March 28 deadline.

As of Monday about 22 percent of ballots mailed to voters have been returned, according to administrators. Ballots were sent out on March 9.

Ballots are due at Smith Valley School, 2901 U.S. 2 W., Kalispell, by 8 p.m. on March 28.

Voters are also reminded to sign the outer envelope containing the ballot, and it must be signed by the person the ballot was issued to in order to be counted.

Residents who have not received ballots may not have provided their most current address with the Flathead County Election Department, which is in charge of maintaining the list of registered voters. With proper identification, residents may update his or her information with the county election department, 40 11th St. W., Suite 230, Kalispell.

If the bond is approved, owners of homes with assessed values of $200,000 could anticipate annual property taxes to increase by $448.82. The life of the bond would be 20 years.

The bond will fund expansion and renovation of Smith Valley School, which includes purchase of 9.8 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the school. The purchase is contingent on the bond issue passing.

If approved, the bulk of funding is slated for new construction, which includes building five new classrooms, a new library, a new multipurpose gym, new offices, a new drain field and upgraded septic system, improved security, additional parking and traffic-flow improvements.

For more information, call the school at 406-756-4535 or visit www.smithvalleyschool.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.