Letters to the editor June 8
Upper West Shore School District
Attention Residents of Montana, Lake County, Upper West Shore School District. You will be receiving a mail ballot for a general fund levy for one year to cover teacher compensation and general operating expenses.
There are currently 47 students enrolled at the Dayton School. That is a decrease in student population, down from 80 a few years ago, and significant increases are not expected in the near future. Nevertheless, the Dayton School Board determined that an increase in the number of staff positions was warranted and that has resulted in a budget shortfall.
As noted above, the levy is for one-year and without changes to the budget or a notable increase in students it is possible that another levy will be required for the next budget year. If taxpayers object to this possibility, you may wish to speak directly to the school board members about reconsideration of the need for additional staff. The board members are Greg Simonson, Ron Tjaden and Arnold Bjork.
Meanwhile, please vote yes on the general fund levy to rectify the shortfall for this year. Our students need your support.
There have been a few articles in local newspapers regarding the Dayton School and a fundraising effort being conducted by a private 501(c)3 organization to raise $22 million for a new school, community center and health center. Unfortunately, some misinformation is being dispersed about the current school that requires clarification.
The Dayton School is fully ADA compliant, not sub-par as reported.
The land lease for the school with the CSKT expires in 2032 and is expected to be renewed at that time for another 25-year period, to 2057. The land lease payment is $1 per year.
The school does not have a hot lunch program, but that is not unusual for rural schools in Montana and the children do not go hungry, but rather they bring their own lunch to school.
If the citizens of the Upper West Shore School District think that this little levy to raise $61,000 is objectionable, try to imagine what the annual school taxes would be if the district must be taken over by the Polson school district or what the school budget will require annually from the taxpayers to operate and maintain a $22 million facility for 50-70 children.
Your mail-in ballot must be postmarked by June 10 – don’t miss your chance to show your support for the Upper West Shore School District!
— Linda Sauer, Dayton