West Valley seeking approval of two levies

West Valley School District voters are reminded to return mailed ballots for the May 7 election.

A $347,000 general fund levy and an $83,000 technology levy are on the ballot.

“What we wanted to do is keep it at a reasonable cost to taxpayers but still cover our basic needs,” said West Valley Superintendent Richard Gross.

This year, West Valley cut $250,000 from the budget, which resulted in the decision to leave four teaching positions vacant. This resulted in larger classes and less elective offerings to middle school students.

“Luckily, we’ve been able to meet accreditation for class sizes but we’re pretty close in not meeting accreditation standards just looking at our projections,” Gross said. 

“Roughly 17% of our budget is funded by voted levies,” he added.

The $347,000 general fund levy will go toward retaining teachers and paraprofessional positions to maintain smaller class sizes and provide individualized instruction for struggling students. 

The district also plans to use funding to cover deferred maintenance on the building. This includes repairing or replacing failing heating units, and heating and ventilation and air conditioning controls, to name a couple.

If the general fund levy is approved, owners of homes with assessed values of $300,000 can expect annual taxes to increase by $65.24. Owners of homes valued at $600,000 can anticipate annual taxes to increase by $130.48. General fund levies are usually permanent once approved. 

If the general fund levy does not pass, more positions may be cut.

As the name implies, the $83,000 technology levy covers the purchase, repair and maintenance of technology equipment. This extends beyond computers and devices to encompass network access, cybersecurity, annual software/license/storage subscriptions and fees, and the salaries/training of information technology employees who maintain it all.

If the technology levy is approved, owners of homes with assessed values of $300,000 can expect annual taxes to increase by $15.60. Owners of homes valued at $600,000 can anticipate annual taxes to increase by $31.21. The duration of a technology levy is 10 years.

“I think we really wanted to be specific with the community on what our needs are and we can communicate that with two different levies,” Gross said.

“I’d say we’ve been pretty good stewards of money and expenditures. We spend less than other schools in Flathead County,” he added.

The last time a levy passed was in 2007. West Valley educates 760 kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

Ballots may be mailed or hand-delivered to the district at 2290 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell between 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. weekdays. On May 7, election day, the school is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information call 755-7293 or email Business Manager and Clerk Mark Fessler at mfessler@westvalleyschool.com.

Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.