Kalispell School District voters on Tuesday handily rejected a levy request to fund high school operations, according to unofficial election results posted Wednesday morning.

The $1.5 million high school district general fund levy failed with nearly 60% of ballots against the measure, according to unofficial results. Had it been approved, owners of homes valued at $400,000 would have seen their annual taxes increase by $50.40.

“We are naturally disappointed that the passage of the high school general fund levy fell short as it would have been pivotal in providing very needed resources in serving our students and staff,” Kalispell school officials said in a statement Wednesday morning. “We truly believe our district is worthy of a supportive community. We will continue to work hard to earn the respect and trust from our taxpayers that will help us serve the students and families of our district.”

Kalispell Public School voters haven’t approved a high school district levy since 2007.

In the West Valley district, voters turned down a $27.3 million bond issue that would have funded the purchase of property to build a new middle school. According to the district tally, 863 voters rejected the bond request, with 688 in support, according to unofficial results. Voter turnout was about 44%.

Had the bond been approved, annual property taxes would have increased by about $772.63 on a home with a $400,000 value.

“You go in with the hope it’s going to pass. If it doesn’t, you go back and try again," said outgoing West Valley Superintendent Cal Ketchum, whether that means holding off on a bond election for another year/asking for a smaller amount.

However, the next step will be for the school board and new superintendent Cindy Risher to decide. Risher was recently hired to replace Ketchum, who is finishing up his last year with the district.

Ketchum said the school board will also be filled with people who are fairly new to serving as trustees.

“It’s pretty much a brand new school board,” he said.

Following are preliminary results from school election night Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Results are unofficial until they are canvassed by each respective school board.

Bigfork

Trustee election — Two three-year terms.

Zack Anderson 922

Roger C. Ball 418

Aaron Parish 611

Christina Relyea 721

Ballots mailed: 5,195

Ballots returned: 1,377

Columbia Falls

Trustee election — Two three-year terms, elementary district

Corydon Albrecht 983

Alice Biel 704

Jessica Bostock 1,002

Justin Cheff 1,522

Heather Mumby 1,145

David Shaffer 426

Ballots mailed: 9,609

Ballots cast: 2,945

Helena Flats

Trustee election — One three-year term

Marcus Blue 152

Brian Ek 132

Ballots mailed: 1,288

Ballots cast: 300

Kalispell

High School District General Fund Levy

For: 5,706

Against: 8,379

Elementary District - 3 Year Term (the two highest vote totals are elected)

Steven Biggs: 2,361

Ursula Wilde: 2,822

Dana Bennett: 1,916

Jennifer Sevier: 3,214

High School District - 3 Year Term (Representing Lakeside, Somers, Kila)

Mark Kornick: 613

Lloyd Bondy: 633

Ballots mailed: 40,674

Ballots returned: 14,288

Marion

Trustee election — Two three-year terms

Robin Brist 228 votes

Kami Johnson 227 votes

Evelina Tarshikov 82 votes

Ballots mailed: 1,416

Ballots returned: 288

Somers-Lakeside

Trustee election — Three three-year terms

John Byers 497

Kristen Darling 251

Kimberly Eisenlohr 694

Carrie Eklund 627

Leif Hallstrom 315

Matt Shaffer 491

Scott Simonson 619

Lane C. Smyth 78

Ballots mailed: 4839

Ballots cast: 1,297

Smith Valley

Trustee election — Two three-year terms

Rick A Glewwe II 251

Joshua Hunt 267

Rand Norby 63

Jason Preble 144

Brian Serna 36

Lee Yandl 170

Ballots mailed: 1,358

Ballots cast: 483

West Valley

Bond "YES" 688

Bond "NO" 863

Trustee election — Two three-year terms and a one-year term

Meghan Brester 354

Stefanie Hanson 656

Marilyn Hedstrom 804

Jeffrey Meredith 763

Brent Councilor 907

Ballots mailed: 3,711

Ballots returned: 1,630

Whitefish

Two three-year terms

Elizabeth Pitman 2,539

Darcy Schelinger 2,277

Bobee Hyland 606

Leanette Kearns 525

Jenny Paatalo 465

Ballots cast: 3,350