School elections are May 5. Here is a roundup of what’s on the ballot in Fair-Mont-Egan and Cayuse Prairie.

Fair-Mont-Eagn voters will decide two issues — a $250,000 technology levy and a $140,380 general fund levy.  

The levies will help address a projected budget deficit of $250,000 for the 2026-27 school year. 

Money generated from a technology levy may go toward purchasing, renting, repairing and maintaining equipment such as computers, security, networks, cloud-based or subscription-based services or professional development, for example.  Fair-Mont-Egan has outlined that the technology levy will be used to replace devices reaching the end of their lifespan; cybersecurity and online curriculum. 

The duration of the technology levy will be five years. If approved, owners of homes valued at $300,000 can anticipate an annual tax increase of $16.37. Owners of a home valued at $600,000 can expect a $34.97 increase. 

“Approval of this levy contributes to reducing the operating budget deficit,” according to levy information posted to its website. 

Money raised by a general fund levy covers a broad range of costs related to the daily operation of schools and the education of students, including salaries and benefits, curriculum and supplies, utilities, technology and maintenance.  General fund levies are permanent. 

Fair-Mont-Egan plans to use money to support salaries and staff retention, address inflationary operational costs and minimize multi-grade class configurations, according to the district. 

Passage of the $140,380 general fund levy would mean an annual property tax increase of $52.22 on a home valued at $300,000 and $111.57 for a home valued at $600,000. 

The school has scheduled informational meetings about the levies at 8 a.m. April 1 and at 6 p.m. April 27. The school is located at 797 Fairmont Road, Kalispell. 

Cayuse Prairie is also putting a general fund levy on its ballot. 

The K-8 school seeks voter approval of a $300,000 general fund levy to hire staff, retain positions, fund salary increases and maintain current student programs.  

For homeowners, passage of the levy would increase annual property taxes by $62.56 on a home valued at $300,000 and $181.10 on a $600,000 home.   

Voters will only decide the issues in the school district where they reside. School elections are conducted by mail by the Flathead County Elections Department. Ballots will be mailed to active, registered voters within and the April 15-20 window.  

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.