Three local school districts had success in passing levies, while two did not.

In the most closely watched election, Kalispell Public School voters narrowly passed an elementary district technology levy, but rejected a high school technology levy.

Voters in Kalispell and surrounding school districts were asked to approve 10-year technology levies of $600,000 a year for the elementary district and $600,000 annually for the high school district.

In the elementary district 2,896 voted for and 2,864 voted against the issue. Only voters in Kalispell voted on the elementary levy request.

Owners of a home with a taxable market value of $200,000 can anticipate an increase of $29.61 in annual taxes.

The high school district levy request was decided by voters living in both Kalispell and rural school districts outside of Kalispell who send students to Flathead and Glacier high schools. The issue was defeated by 6,045 to 5,797.

Also on the ballot was a contested trustee election for two elementary positions and one high school district position representing Helena Flats and Evergreen.

Incumbent Frank Miller with 3,030 votes and Bette Albright with 3,742 votes were elected to represent the elementary district. A third candidate, Lance Isaak received 2,002 votes.

Incumbent Jack Fallon was re-elected as a high school trustee with 644 votes. Candidate Antoine Brockman received 411 votes.

High school district trustee Tom Clark, was seated by acclamation. He represents Marion, Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley, Smith Valley and West Valley.

Voters approved Columbia Falls School District’s $478,984 general fund levy by a vote of 983 to 924. Taxpayers of a home with a taxable market value of $200,000 will see an increase of approximately $34.98 on their annual taxes.

In other school elections:

With roughly a 23 percent voter turnout, Fair-Mont-Egan passed a five-year building reserve of $20,000 annually by a vote of 109 to 96.

People who own a home with a taxable market value of $100,000 can expect an increase of $9.67 in their tax bill. Taxpayers who own homes with a taxable market value of $200,000 may anticipate an increase of $19.34. 

Some priority areas slated for funds from the reserve levy are replacing a gym floor, remodeling a classroom located on the stage and other building repairs.

Marion School’s two levy requests were defeated.

A 10-year $67,000 technology levy issue was defeated 126 to 71. Voters also rejected the district’s request for a $33,708 general fund levy by 108 to 88.

There are 738 registered voters living in Marion School District, and the turnout was roughly 27 percent.

Other school districts that had contested races for trustee elections included Bigfork and Whitefish.

Bigfork School District had a 24.6 percent turnout to elect two candidates — Dana Whitney with 686 votes and incumbent Paul Sandry with 596 votes, to serve three-year terms. A third candidate, Wendy Miller, received 443 votes.

Jessica Martinz was seated by acclamation to represent the Swan Lake/Salmon Prairie Elementary District as a Bigfork High School trustee.

In Whitefish School District, 11.57 percent of voters turned out to elect three trustees to three-year terms: Heather Vrentas with 793 votes, incumbent Shawn Watts with 775 votes and incumbent Dave Fern with 733 votes. A fourth candidate, Marguerite Kaminsky, received 589 votes.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].