Staffing and programming cuts are on the horizon for several schools in the county after voters rejected all school levy issues in Tuesday’s election. 

Preliminary results tallied by the Flathead County Election Department are unofficial until canvassed by the respective school boards.  

Kalispell voters rejected a $1.1 million general fund levy for the elementary district by a 3,485 to 4,036 vote.

Money raised by the elementary general fund levy was intended to cover a projected budget deficit and allow the district’s six elementary schools to maintain staffing levels and cover the daily expenses of operating schools. Without it, there will likely be more cuts, district officials had warned. 

If the levy had been approved, owners of homes with an assessed value of $300,000 could have expected an annual tax increase of $28.12 or $60.06 on a $600,000 home. 

“While this is difficult and disappointing news, this levy campaign was focused on keeping up with inflationary costs and maintaining the strong classroom experiences we currently have in place,” Kalispell Superintendent Matt Jensen said. 

“Continued investment to keep up with inflation to sustain programs can be challenging to communicate. While this outcome is not what we hoped for, we remain committed to our students and proud of the work happening in our schools,” he said. 

Jensen pointed to the results as a reflection of how Montana schools are funded by the state.

“This result reflects the ongoing challenges of our current school funding system in Montana, which relies on regular local support simply to maintain the status quo,” Jensen added. “Regardless of the election outcome, I am grateful for the parents and community partners who stepped forward to advocate for our schools. Their willingness to share the great things happening in our classrooms, to have conversations with neighbors, and to support our work in meaningful ways continues to matter.” 

The last levy passed in the elementary district was a 10-year $1.1 million technology levy that voters narrowly approved in 2024. 

CAYUSE PRAIRIE, Fair-Mont Egan and Deer Park schools also had general fund levies on their respective ballots. Fair-Mont-Egan School also asked for approval of a technology levy. 

As schools struggle to keep up with inflationary costs, Cayuse Prairie Superintendent Amy Piazzola understood that voters, too, may also be facing financial hardships in the current economy. 

Cayuse Prairie School District voters defeated a $300,000 general fund levy issue by a 412-648 margin. 

“Of course, we’re disappointed, but understand the times that we’re living in and the hardships for people,” Piazzola said. 

The school had intended to use money generated by the levy to hire staff, retain positions, fund salary increases and maintain current student programs.

Without the levy, the school plans to make cuts, including a Title I position that provided reading and math interventions, in addition to a part-time horticulture director position, according to Piazzola. She said there may be an avenue to move the horticulture position into an elective, which she learned about recently from the Office of Public Instruction. 

"There’s an additional $25,000 we need to make our budget balance for the upcoming 2026-27 school year,” Piazzola said on top of those eliminated positions. 

If the general fund levy had been approved, annual property taxes would have increased by $62.56 on homes valued at $300,000 and by about $134 on a $600,000 home. 

Fair-Mont-Egan voters defeated a $250,000 technology levy by a vote of 216 to 315, and a $140,380 general fund levy by a 212-339 margin. As a result, Fair-Mont-Egan Superintendent Tina Blair said that “programming will be adjusted to reflect current funding levels.” 

The levy requests were made to address a projected budget deficit for the 2026-27 school year. Fair-Mont-Egan planned to use money raised by the levies toward salaries, staff retention, technology while addressing inflationary operational costs and minimizing multi-grade class configurations, according to the district. The technology levy would have covered technology-related expenses and purchases. 

“While we are disheartened by the results, the district will continue to focus on high-reaching goals and creating a positive and engaging learning environment for students and staff,” Blair said. “The district appreciates the ongoing support that has been shown by Fair-Mont-Egan community members and we will go forward together” 

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

Passage of the general fund levy would have meant 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. 

In Deer Park, there were 132 votes for and 221 against a $110,000 general fund levy due to a decreasing budget. As a result, the district will look at staff reductions, which could mean larger class sizes, and making cuts or implementing fees for its athletic and before and after care program. 

For homeowners, passage of the levy would have increased annual property taxes by $62.56 on a home valued at $300,000 and $134 on a $600,000 home. 

In a similar fashion to other school districts, Deer Park intended to use the money to keep up with rising operational costs and salaries in consideration of fluctuating enrollment.   

Helena Flats School District sought voter permission to purchase property located across from the school and the means to buy it through a 10-year building reserve levy.  

The land acquisition issue was too close to call, with 265 votes for the purchase and 263 against. Flathead County Election Administrator Paula Buff said provisional ballots will be counted and resolved Monday.   

“Although it’s a super tight margin, it’s not in the range of a recount — but that could change. We’re waiting to see how many provisional ballots are resolved and counted, whether or not that’s part of Helena Flats or another district,” Buff said.  

Even if the land acquisition issue is approved, the school does not have the funding mechanism to purchase land following the defeat of a $672,157 building reserve levy by a 237-303 vote. 

The proposed building reserve levy would have increased annual property taxes by $24.88 for homes valued at $300,000 and $72.04 for a $600,000 home. 

“We are excitedly optimistic given the unofficial results for the public's permission to purchase the land for future planning purposes. We hope that any outlying votes continue to trend positively," Helena Flats superintendent Andy Maheras said. “It is unfortunate that we did not receive approval to actually fund the purchase of the land with the building reserve levy.    

“At this point, we're about halfway there in our attempt to plan for the future of the school district in terms of options for facilities. We recognize that we still have some work to do regarding engaging our voters and getting information out to them.  The turnout of just over 400 votes is about one-third of our voting public and we recognize the challenges there,” he said.  

CONTESTED TRUSTEE elections were also held in some school districts.  

Bigfork School District incumbent Paul Sandry was reelected to the board with 843 votes along with Alisa Kennedy with 682 votes, for three-year terms. Kate Averill was also elected to serve a two-year term, receiving 932 votes.  

In Cayuse Prairie, candidate Brian Hogue and incumbent Tyler Hash were elected to the board. Hogue received 516 votes and Hash, 499 votes.  

Voters in Columbia Falls School District reelected incumbents Megan Upton, Keri Hill and Barb Riley.  

Kalispell Public Schools held an election to fill an open seat in the high school district representing Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley, Smith Valley and West Valley schools. Voters elected Rich Terrett to fill that seat with 532 votes. 

With 584 votes, Dakota Baier was elected to the Somers-Lakeside School District board for a one-year term.  

In Whitefish, incumbent Jerrie Boksich, Gloria Nelson and Karin Hilding were elected to the board. 

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.