Voters are reminded that ballots are due Tuesday, May 3, in school districts holding mail-ballot elections.

School districts must have them in hand on Election Day to be counted. A postmark is not accepted.

Voters are also reminded to sign the outer return envelope before turning it in to be counted. It must be signed by the person to whom the ballot was issued to.

In this election, voters in the West Valley School District will decide on a $27.3 million bond issue in addition to the contested trustee race. The 20-year bond, if passed, will fund purchasing property to build a new middle school to accommodate continued growth and renovate the existing school. If approved, annual property taxes will increase by about $579.48 on a home with an assessed value of $300,000 or $772.63 on a home with a $400,000 value. West Valley School District is located at 2290 Farm to Market Road.

Kalispell Public Schools, 233 First Ave. E., has requested approval for a $1.5 million general fund levy for the high school district, which encompasses Glacier and Flathead high schools, Linderman Education Center and the H.E. Robinson Vocational Education Center. General fund levies cover a broad range of costs involved in the day-to-day operation of schools and education of students, such as salaries, curriculum, utilities, technology and maintenance.

If approved, owners of homes with an assessed value of $300,000 can anticipate annual taxes to increase by $37.80. Owners of homes valued at $400,000 can expect annual taxes to increase by $50.40.

People who can vote on the high school levy includes taxpayers in Kalispell and 13 outlying partner schools (also known as feeder schools) whose elementary/middle school students go on to attend Glacier or Flathead.

Kalispell Public Schools is also holding contested trustee races.

Trustee elections will also be held in the following school districts: Bigfork, 600 Commerce St.; Columbia Falls, 501 Sixth Ave. W.; Helena Flats, 1000 Helena Flats Road; Marion, 205 Gopher Lane; Smith Valley, 2901 U.S. 2 W.; Somers-Lakeside, 315 School Addition Road.

In Whitefish, polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, May 3, at 600 Second Street E.

Trustees are volunteers who represent the public and are responsible for making decisions that impact how schools operate. Duties typically include reviewing and adopting policies, annual budgets and educational programs, setting achievement goals, managing the collective bargaining process and holding schools accountable overall.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or by email at [email protected].