PR firm hired to push high-school levy request

Kalispell Public Schools has contracted with Aspen Communications to assist with community outreach to inform the public about a proposed $1.2 million high-school district general fund levy slated to be on the May ballot.

The Kalispell communications firm will provide services through May at a total cost of $8,500. The money will be paid for with general funds.

“We knew at certain times during the school year we were going to need some additional outside help in communicating with the public,” said Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau, so when a district outreach coordinator position was eliminated as part of budget cuts for the 2017-18 school year, a portion of funding was retained.

Flatau said the school district has a responsibility to provide the public with levy facts, tax impacts and how the money will be used. The district also wants to let people know about “all the positive things going on in Kalispell Public Schools,” he said.

“And that’s a lot of work as we all know,” Flatau said.

The high-school district isn’t limited to people living in Kalispell. That district includes 13 outlying partner school districts whose students matriculate to Flathead and Glacier high schools.

The district previously used Aspen Communications’ services with a $1 million general fund levy request for the elementary district, which voters approved last year.

Aspen Communications Creative Director Sara Busse said services provided will include strategic communications planning and developing content to inform voters about the levy through different avenues such as mailers, presentations, emails, phone calls and digital media.

A general-fund levy primarily supports the day-to-day operations to educate students such as salaries, textbooks/materials and utilities. In addition to Flathead and Glacier high schools, the high-school district includes Linderman Education Center, H.E. Robinson Vocational Agriculture Center and Legends Stadium.

If voters approved a $1.2 million general fund levy, owners of homes valued at $200,000 could anticipate an annual tax increase of $25.71.

A levy in the high-school district hasn’t passed since 2007.

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