Voters will decide the fate of a Kalispell Public Schools $2.96 million high school general fund levy on May 6.  

Money generated by a general fund levy covers a broad range of costs related to the daily operation of schools and education of students, such as salaries, curriculum, utilities, technology and maintenance.  

If the $2,967,757 levy is approved, owners of homes with assessed values of $200,000 can anticipate annual taxes to increase by about $33.04. Owners of homes with assessed values of $300,000 can expect annual taxes to increase by $49.56.  

Upon approval, the levy is permanent. The “average homeowner” will pay $73.80 a year on a house with an assessed value of $447,000, according to the district. 

Taxpayers living in the high school district get to vote on the levy. The high school district encompasses Kalispell and 13 surrounding partner schools whose K-8 students go on to attend Glacier and Flathead high schools.  

KALISPELL PUBLIC Schools Superintendent Matt Jensen sought to stress the urgency of passing the high school levy during a press conference held outside Flathead High School on Wednesday. A levy hasn't passed in the high school district since 2007. Over the years, the district has tapped into one-time money contained in an interlocal fund to cover budget shortfalls and made reductions, including cutting positions.  

“On the one hand, we have an excellent school system that has scrapped together grants and staffing to provide what is being recognized across our state as one of the most student centered and diverse educational experiences," Jensen said, referring to a  transformational learning grant and the high school work-based learning program.   

“On the other hand, it would be irresponsible to not tell the truth about the trouble we are in. We are the lowest funded AA district. The last high school levy passed before our current graduating seniors were born, it has been long enough," he added. “The programs and student experiences you will hear about today are extremely fragile, and they have been stretched and patched together for too many years.”  

If the levy doesn’t pass, 20.5 high school teaching positions will be cut, leading to increased class sizes and the reduction of course options by more than 100, according to the district’s informational materials. As funding further declines next year, the district outlined phasing out “legacy offerings,” such as the Agriculture Center and FFA, athletics and teams, trades classes (welding, mechanic shop, house construction), internships and apprenticeships, speech and debate, the arts (theater and music). 

Flathead High School student Madison Nickel and Glacier High School student Sam Engellant shared about internship experiences at the Kalispell Education Foundation and Morrison-Maierle, respectively, to showcase the work-based learning program. 

"It was really cool to get that immersive experience where I could see all the different branches of engineering," Engellant said. “Because having taken [science, technology, engineering and math] classes, I've been told like, ‘Oh, Sam, you might want to be an engineer,’ but you don't really know what an engineer does until you see it firsthand like that." 

During the internship, he worked with engineers on remodeling projects at two elementary schools in Polson. He also worked on a Whitefish apartment building project. Seeing different engineers on the job helped him narrow his plans. He expects to major in mechanical engineering in college. 

After the press conference, Engellant said he encourages voters to learn more about what the general fund levy funding supports and what’s at stake that will ultimately affect students’ education.  He said he doesn’t think past rejected levies necessarily mean the community is unsupportive but might need more “education on education,” which he hopes the efforts of students and community groups such as the One Brave Pack, will accomplish.  

KALISPELL CHAMBER of Commerce Executive Director Lorraine Clarno also highlighted the connections built between the school district, students and businesses in advocating for the levy. She said the chamber was “proud to stand here today as a partner” with the district.  

“... we love connecting the business community to our future workforce,” Clarno said, later adding, “So many wonderful programs and projects are at risk. That is reality, and we want to see Kalispell step up and pass the levy in May.” 

Jensen emphasized that programs like work-based learning will hinge on the levy.  

“This levy matters because it will determine whether we continue to build programs like you've heard today, or we head down the path of reduction. Either way, the entire Flathead Valley will feel the impact of this election," Jensen said.  

“On May 6, we are asking voters to decide what type of future they want for their kids and their grandkids. We sure believe they're worth the investment,” Jensen added.  

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 406-758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.