Fair-Mont-Egan aims for building reserve OK
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 11 months AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | May 1, 2014 9:00 PM
Fair-Mont-Egan School officials are asking voters to approve a five-year $100,000 building reserve levy in a walk-in election from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, in the school music room.
There are approximately 897 voters in the school district east of Kalispell.
If the levy request is approved, people who own homes with assessed values of $100,000 could see yearly tax increases of $9.67. Taxpayers who own homes with assessed taxable market value of $200,000 can anticipate annual tax increases of $19.34.
Currently, the district is debt-free.
District Clerk Susan Clanton said some of the building priorities include replacing the gym floor.
“It has 9-inch asbestos tiles and some are cracked and broken,” Clanton said.
Clanton said school officials have discussed either asbestos abatement and replacing the floor or they will investigate if it’s possible to cover the existing surface with a floating floor.
Another area of need is remodeling a classroom on the school stage. This classroom is used as an overflow room and an accordion-style wall is falling apart, according to Clanton.
Other building repairs would involve replacing classroom sinks and cabinets that date back to 1969.
“Every year we try to bite off a project we have funds for,” Clanton said.
The last time district voters passed a levy was in 2005.
The district unsuccessfully asked for bond approval in 2010 to build a school addition.
“The last big project we did here was an addition. We did it totally with our own funds and grants at no cost to taxpayers,” Clanton said.
People who would like more information about the building reserve request can call Clanton at 755-2038.
No trustee races will be on Tuesday’s ballot because only three candidates filed for three seats on the school board.
Fair-Mont-Egan school board trustees Willa Manger, Liz Walter and Jeff Wilson will be seated by acclamation. Wilson will serve a one-year term. Manger and Walter will serve three-year terms.
Tuesday also is the deadline for voters to return ballots for a Kalispell Public Schools mail election.
Voters are being asked to approve a $600,000-a-year technology levy for the high schools and a $600,000-a-year technology levy for elementary schools.
The technology levies, if approved, would last 10 years.
Voters have until 8 p.m. Tuesday to drop off their ballots at the Central Administration Office, 233 First Ave. E. in Kalispell.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].
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