School district will run $36,000 levy

The Whitefish School District is asking voters to approve a $36,000 levy to help with a tight budget that is anticipated if there is no increase in funding from the state.

The school board voted 5-2 to run a levy for the high school district. Trustees Charlie Abell and Shawn Tucker voted against the motion.

“My concern is asking the taxpayer for more money after what we’ve gone through,” Tucker said. “To ask for more, it just doesn’t seem right. We need to rely more on our Senate and House to start stepping up and funding education.”

The additional funds will likely give the district the ability to hire an additional teacher for next school year, effectively replacing five of the nine staff members who are retiring this year. While the retirements helped with next year’s budget, it wasn’t enough to make up the difference with no additional funding anticipated from the state.

District clerk Danelle Reisch recommended running the levy.

“This could give us some flexibility if we don’t get a funding bill passed in the Legislature,” she said. “If we do get a funding bill passed we won’t levy that money.”

The school district’s funding from the state is largely based on enrollment numbers over a three-year average. Dropping enrollment in the school district has translated into a drop in funding.

Superintendent Kate Orozco said the school administrative staff requested the board approve the levy request. Without the added funds the district expects to hire only four teachers to replace those retiring.

“Every little bit helps when we’re making staffing choices,” she said.

The district is unsure of exactly what next year’s budget will look like until the state legislative session ends. The current 2012-13 budget for the whole district is $11.41 million.

Under the current state funding model, the district can request a high school levy of $36,000 and anticipates the elementary district would see an increase of about $26,000.

If Senate Bill 175 passes, the district expects to receive additional budget authority in the elementary district, which is expected to increase the budget by about $90,000. The high school budget would remain at its current funding level and because of the state budget cap, which limits the amount of money a district is allowed to collect, the district would be prevented from levying additional funds.

The Senate has already passed the bill and it will be headed for the House for a vote.

Reisch said the district can run the levy election and if Senate Bill 175 passes, then the district would not levy the requested amount.

If the levy passes and the district collects the money, it is expected to increase taxes on a $100,000 market value home by 93 cents and on a $200,000 home the increase would be $1.85 annually.

The Whitefish School District levy election is Tuesday, May 7.