2022 school election results
A ballot box at the Flathead County Election Department. (Casey Kreider / Daily Inter Lake FILE)
Kalispell School District voters on Tuesday handily rejected a levy request to fund high school operations, according to unofficial election results posted Wednesday morning.
The $1.5 million high school district general fund levy failed with nearly 60% of ballots against the measure, according to unofficial results. Had it been approved, owners of homes valued at $400,000 would have seen their annual taxes increase by $50.40.
“We are naturally disappointed that the passage of the high school general fund levy fell short as it would have been pivotal in providing very needed resources in serving our students and staff,” Kalispell school officials said in a statement Wednesday morning. “We truly believe our district is worthy of a supportive community. We will continue to work hard to earn the respect and trust from our taxpayers that will help us serve the students and families of our district.”
Kalispell Public School voters haven’t approved a high school district levy since 2007.
In the West Valley district, voters turned down a $27.3 million bond issue that would have funded the purchase of property to build a new middle school. According to the district tally, 863 voters rejected the bond request, with 688 in support, according to unofficial results. Voter turnout was about 44%.
Had the bond been approved, annual property taxes would have increased by about $772.63 on a home with a $400,000 value.
“You go in with the hope it’s going to pass. If it doesn’t, you go back and try again," said outgoing West Valley Superintendent Cal Ketchum, whether that means holding off on a bond election for another year/asking for a smaller amount.
However, the next step will be for the school board and new superintendent Cindy Risher to decide. Risher was recently hired to replace Ketchum, who is finishing up his last year with the district.
Ketchum said the school board will also be filled with people who are fairly new to serving as trustees.
“It’s pretty much a brand new school board,” he said.
Following are preliminary results from school election night Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Results are unofficial until they are canvassed by each respective school board.
Bigfork
Trustee election — Two three-year terms.
Zack Anderson 922
Roger C. Ball 418
Aaron Parish 611
Christina Relyea 721
Ballots mailed: 5,195
Ballots returned: 1,377
Columbia Falls
Trustee election — Two three-year terms, elementary district
Corydon Albrecht 983
Alice Biel 704
Jessica Bostock 1,002
Justin Cheff 1,522
Heather Mumby 1,145
David Shaffer 426
Ballots mailed: 9,609
Ballots cast: 2,945
Helena Flats
Trustee election — One three-year term
Marcus Blue 152
Brian Ek 132
Ballots mailed: 1,288
Ballots cast: 300
Kalispell
High School District General Fund Levy
For: 5,706
Against: 8,379
Elementary District - 3 Year Term (the two highest vote totals are elected)
Steven Biggs: 2,361
Ursula Wilde: 2,822
Dana Bennett: 1,916
Jennifer Sevier: 3,214
High School District - 3 Year Term (Representing Lakeside, Somers, Kila)
Mark Kornick: 613
Lloyd Bondy: 633
Ballots mailed: 40,674
Ballots returned: 14,288
Marion
Trustee election — Two three-year terms
Robin Brist 228 votes
Kami Johnson 227 votes
Evelina Tarshikov 82 votes
Ballots mailed: 1,416
Ballots returned: 288
Somers-Lakeside
Trustee election — Three three-year terms
John Byers 497
Kristen Darling 251
Kimberly Eisenlohr 694
Carrie Eklund 627
Leif Hallstrom 315
Matt Shaffer 491
Scott Simonson 619
Lane C. Smyth 78
Ballots mailed: 4839
Ballots cast: 1,297
Smith Valley
Trustee election — Two three-year terms
Rick A Glewwe II 251
Joshua Hunt 267
Rand Norby 63
Jason Preble 144
Brian Serna 36
Lee Yandl 170
Ballots mailed: 1,358
Ballots cast: 483
West Valley
Bond "YES" 688
Bond "NO" 863
Trustee election — Two three-year terms and a one-year term
Meghan Brester 354
Stefanie Hanson 656
Marilyn Hedstrom 804
Jeffrey Meredith 763
Brent Councilor 907
Ballots mailed: 3,711
Ballots returned: 1,630
Whitefish
Two three-year terms
Elizabeth Pitman 2,539
Darcy Schelinger 2,277
Bobee Hyland 606
Leanette Kearns 525
Jenny Paatalo 465
Ballots cast: 3,350