Whitefish only district to OK school levies

by Hilary Matheson Daily Inter Lake
| May 8, 2019 8:22 PM

Preliminary results are in for two remaining school districts with levy requests following elections Tuesday.

With about 23 percent voter turnout, Whitefish School District residents supported levies that will generate funding for the elementary and high school districts. It was the only district to pass levies.

Voters approved a $50,975 elementary general fund levy by 1,482 to 1,041. A $232,602 elementary technology levy was approved by a 1,353-1,199 margin. Owners of homes with assessed values at $200,000 can expect annual taxes to increase by $13.51 for the two levies.

Voters living in the high school district, which encompasses Whitefish and a portion of Olney-Bissell School District residents, supported a $88,998 technology levy with 1,477 for and 1,209 against the issue. Owners of homes with assessed values of $200,000 can expect an annual tax increase of $3.80.

General fund levies typically do not sunset while technology levies have a 10-year duration. General fund levies fund the day-to-day operation and maintenance of schools. Money raised by a general fund levy can be used for a broad range of expenses such as personnel, classroom supplies and curriculum, textbooks, technology and building repairs or maintenance. Technology fund levy money is specifically used for the rental, purchase or maintenance of technology and training.

Whitefish residents re-elected incumbent Nick Polumbus with 1,103 votes. Darcy Schellinger will also join the board with 1,323 votes. Both seats are for three-year terms. Candidates Marguerite Kaminski received 955 votes and Todd Lengacher, 789.

Evergreen School District voters defeated a $295,000 general fund levy 352-263. Annual taxes would have increased by $50.34 if approved.

Incumbents Tamara Williams and Dave Lowitz were re-elected with 336 and 305 votes respectively. Both seats are for three-year terms. Candidate Brent Karlstad received 216 votes.

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

— The article has been updated to reflect the technology levy amounts approved by Whitefish voters in Tuesday’s election. Initially, the school district provided an amount for the elementary and high school that included previous levy amounts that went into effect in 2007.