Mail ballots for school elections due May 8
Voters living in Bigfork, Helena Flats, Smith Valley and West Valley school districts are reminded to drop their ballots in the mail.
Ballots may be mailed or hand delivered to the respective school district offices by May 8.
Levies are on the ballot for Bigfork and West Valley. Helena Flats and Smith Valley will only hold contested trustee elections.
Bigfork School District has technology fund levy requests on the ballot for the elementary and high school districts.
The proposed levies would generate $150,000 for the elementary district and $100,000 for the high school district. Annual taxes may increase by $14.13, and $7.54 respectively on homes valued at $200,000.
Technology levies have a 10-year duration and go toward rental, purchase or maintenance of technology and training costs. If approved, the levy will free up about 30 percent of general funds each district.
If approved, money will be used to maintain network security, upgrade aging infrastructure, replace outdated or unsupported technology and increase Ethernet speeds.
Contact district clerk Lacey Porrovecchio at 406-837-7400 or lporrovecchio@bigfork.k12.mt.us for more information.
West Valley School District is proposing a $149,691 general fund levy. If approved, annual taxes may increase by $42.71 on homes valued at $200,000. General fund levies typically don’t expire.
Money raised by a general fund levy can be used for a broad range of expenses such as personnel, classroom supplies, textbooks, technology and building repairs.
The school district hasn’t proposed a levy since 2007, according to West Valley Superintendent Cal Ketchum. Over the past decade, enrollment has grown by 52 percent, which led to an expansion completed in 2015. In addition to curriculum, supplies, furnishings and technology, levy money would be slated for hiring a new second-grade teacher and increasing the work schedule of an elementary school counselor.
Contact district clerk Cindy Foley at 406-755-7239 or email cfoley@westvalleyschool.com for more information.
In Helena Flats, three candidates are vying for two trustee openings. Candidates are: Jessica Dyer, incumbent Kevin Fritz and Jaclynne Magers.
Contact district clerk Tonnie Decker at 406-257-2301 or tdecker@helenaflats.k12.mt.us for more information.
Smith Valley School District has three candidates vying for two available seats on the board. Candidates are: Rand Norby, incumbent Richard Sutton and Heather Truscott.
Contact district clerk Serina Nelson at 406-756-4535 extension 5 or serina@smithvalleyschool.org for more information.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.