High School Annual General Fund Operating Levy

Montana law requires voter approval for any increase to the amount of “over-base” taxes levied.  The Elementary District will be at its maximum budget without additional voter approval, but the High School Trustees are requesting a $325,000 General Fund operating levy increase to maximize the purchasing power (budget authority) for programs and personnel.  

High School Building Reserve Levy

Building Reserve levies are used to maintain the District’s buildings and grounds.  A $1.65 million per year levy has been in place for the last six years, but it will expire this year.  The District used this levy to fund remaining construction projects that our recent $125 bond issue did not cover.  The District now has two state of the art high schools, but ongoing investment is needed to maintain these facilities.

A $1.5 million annual levy is being requested to replace the expiring $1.65 million levy.  The decrease is the result of completed deferred maintenance projects and will be used to offset the District’s other taxes and levy requests.

High School Technology Fund Levy

Technology Fund levies are used to purchase and maintain computers and related software.  The District currently has a $200,000 per year permanent levy that voters approved in 2002. Technology is embedded throughout the instructional model and associated costs have increased over time. The historical levy has lost its purchasing power, and an increase is needed.
The District is requesting a one mill (current value: $269,441) annual levy for 10 years to replace the existing permanent $200,000 levy.