Levy requests produce mixed results for Montana’s largest districts

With numerous AA school districts facing multi-million dollar shortfalls, local voters approved some levies Tuesday but rejected others

By Alex Sakariassen MONTANA FREE PRESS

A series of levy requests in school elections across Montana Tuesday produced mixed results for many of the state’s largest school districts where officials are struggling to contend with multi-million dollar budget shortfalls ahead of the next school year.

In previous interviews, superintendents in those districts argued that the passage of several types of levies was critical in alleviating the financial pressure facing K-12 public schools. They largely attributed widespread budget shortfalls to the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds, flat or declining student enrollment and a state education funding formula they claim has not kept pace with the rising cost of operations.

Statewide organizations including the Montanans Organized for Education PAC and the Montana Federation of Public Employees offered heavy support of numerous levies in the lead-up to Tuesday’s vote. MFPE President Amanda Curtis, whose organization represents the bulk of public school employees in Montana, told Montana Free Press Wednesday that in any other year, “these would have been slam dunks.” However, she argued various financial pressures and state policy decisions have created a “perfect storm” for education funding, pitting the needs of students against the rising cost of living for Montana voters.

“Every Montana kid has a constitutional right to a quality public education, and last night’s levies divided our kids into winners and losers,” Curtis said of the election results in large and small districts throughout the state. “This is the direct result of the 2023 Legislature’s one-two punch of failing to fund schools at the inflationary rate and then pricing Montanans out by shifting property taxes from corporations to homeowners.”

Seven of Montana’s eight AA school districts ran levies or bonds on their local ballots this week, with only the Great Falls Public Schools opting not to. Some of the requests were intended to raise local tax dollars for district general funds, which, under the state’s education funding formula, is the only way for districts to reach the maximum budget amount set by Montana lawmakers. Others ran a newer type of levy, established in 2019, that creates a revenue stream specifically for safety-related expenses such as school cameras, intercoms and staff positions like counselors, nurses and school resource officers. Here’s a rundown of the unofficial results in each of those districts as of Wednesday morning:

• In Billings, voters rejected a pair of safety levies by wide margins. According to unofficial results from the Yellowstone County Elections Office, a roughly $2.5 million elementary school safety levy failed by more than 7,800 votes. A similar levy for the district’s high schools, also valued around $2.5 million, failed by more than 9,000 votes.

Superintendent Erwin Garcia characterized the vote as a “significant defeat” for the district in an email statement to MTFP Wednesday morning, noting that a third of middle and high school students and teachers surveyed in Billings have said they feel unsafe in their schools. However, Garcia commended the efforts of the district’s volunteer Yes to Safe Schools Committee to canvass and fundraise on behalf of the levy this spring.

“Today, as we grapple with the disappointment of this loss, it’s crucial to remember that our students are the ones who ultimately miss out on the opportunity for safer and better-equipped schools,” Garcia said. “I would like each of you to join me as we reflect on our strategies, make necessary adjustments and prepare to re-engage with the community in our pursuit of educating the public on the need for a safety levy.”

• In Bozeman, voters approved two general fund levies, one each for the district’s elementary and high schools. The elementary levy passed by nearly 2,000 votes, while the high school levy passed by about 1,200 votes. The combined total of those levies is $680,000.

Superintendent Casey Bertram told MTFP via email Wednesday morning that he was “incredibly grateful” for the community’s continued support of the district.

“The long-standing support of bonds and levies in Bozeman is something I certainly don’t take for granted,” Bertram wrote. “Public trust is hard-earned and easily lost. We remain committed to our mission of ensuring high level learning for all students, and do so by leaning into our core values: high student achievement; committed, quality staff; inclusive culture; collaborative engagement; integrity and transparency; and fiscal responsibility.”

• In Butte, a high school safety levy request may be headed to a recount, with the Montana Standard reporting a tie of 3,782 votes for and against. The levy would raise $850,000 per year to fund expenses tied to student safety. Unofficial results show a smaller safety levy at the elementary level, valued at $204,000 annually, passing by roughly 600 votes.
• In Helena, unofficial results late Tuesday showed voters rejecting all five levy requests for the district’s elementary and high schools. An elementary general fund levy went down by 657 votes, while a pair of safety levies for the elementary and high schools were defeated by 3,663 votes and 3,854 votes respectively. A pair of levies specifically designated for technology-related costs also failed — by 2,399 votes at the elementary level and 2,249 votes at the high school level.

The combined value of the five levies would have increased property taxes on a $400,000 home by $441.40 per year. In a statement released Wednesday, Superintendent Rex Weltz acknowledged “difficult decisions” Helena homeowners were faced with on their school ballots in light of the sharp property tax increases they’ve recently seen. However, he added that the district faces heightened safety and technology needs coupled with funding shortfalls and rising inflation — a situation he said school board trustees and a stakeholder committee of parents, teachers, students and community members will have to navigate in the months ahead.

“The reality of our budget will now drive our offerings and learning environments,” Weltz told MTFP via text message Wednesday. “Now we know our budget and will start planning for the 2024-2025 school year.”

• In Missoula, Tuesday’s election produced mixed results for four levies put forth by the Missoula County Public Schools. Voters supported two general fund levies — by 3,791 votes at the elementary level and 821 votes at the high school level — and passed an elementary school safety levy by a narrow 329-vote margin. However, the district’s request for a high school safety levy was rejected by 2,651 votes.

Superintendent Micah Hill said in an email statement Wednesday that the district was “naturally disappointed” by the failure of the high school safety levy but thanked voters for approving the other three.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Missoula residents and voters,” Hill wrote. “Although Missoula voters have historically been supportive of MCPS funding requests in the past, we recognize that this year was an especially tough time for property taxpayers throughout Missoula County.”

• In Kalispell, voters narrowly approved renewing an existing elementary technology levy by 17 votes. The levy, which funds expenses related to computer equipment, software and cybersecurity, was set to expire in June but will now continue for an additional 10 years. However, a $700,000 levy request for Kalispell’s high school general fund failed by 1,540 votes.
• In Belgrade, school officials this year were seeking voter approval on a $60.5 million bond geared in part toward completing the planned construction of a fourth elementary school. Superintendent Dede Frothingham previously told MTFP that the project, initially approved by voters in 2019, is a critical component in the district’s strategy for dealing with population growth and that without a new elementary building, “we can’t last much longer.” However, according to unofficial results from the Gallatin County Elections Office, voters overwhelmingly rejected the bond proposal by 2,722 votes.

In a phone call Wednesday, Frothingham told MTFP she understands the financial pressure voters themselves are under and remains hopeful that efforts by state officials to tackle property tax issues will help alleviate the situation in the future.

“The Belgrade community is very supportive of their schools, and that hasn’t changed from yesterday to today,” Frothingham said. “We recognize the challenge of moving forward with a large bond during this time.”

The results of Tuesday’s school elections remain unofficial until after the completion of post-election canvasses.