The school-related tax burden of Montana City residents is set to fall even if they approve two new levies on ballots due May 6.
After months of preparation, the Montana City School District hopes voters accept the new levies adding nearly $90,000 in school funding. The first levy, for $48,000, aims to prevent staff and program reductions and boost the general fund, which finances many school initiatives.
The second levy increases the technology fund from around $40,000 to $78,750. Tech prices have risen since 2016 when the fund was last approved, said Superintendent Tony Kloker. This increase will ensure students’ continued access to online coursework.
“With support, we can continue to recruit and retain quality staff, maintain manageable class sizes, afford the $75,000 cost for students to access curriculum through technology and avoid deeper staffing cuts that impact everything from regular education classrooms, to art, music, PE, field trips and extracurricular athletics,” Montana City school explained in a statement.
Despite the levies, Montana City residents’ school-related tax looks set to drop this year due to an increase in revenues from other sources. First, around $89,000 is being returned to taxpayers from the debt service fund. In addition, the school’s general fund will get an injection of about $150,000 this year from tuition reimbursements for out-of-district students.
As a result, the District estimates a tax decrease of $22.49 (per $100,000 of property value) this year. Thus, since the two proposed levies would result in an $11.93 (per $100K) increase, even with them, Montana City taxpayers will pay $10.56 (per $100K) less than in previous years.
The state provides just over 70 percent of the school budget, which the district says is inadequate and, without community support, could lead to a loss of accreditation. But at a recent school board meeting, Kloker told trustees to be prepared for what could happen if voters reject the new levies: more program and staff cuts.
In Montana City’s most recent levy vote in 2022, voters rejected similar increases to the technology and general funds. As a result, the school had to cut four teaching positions and make some reductions to school activities.
