With state funding waiting in the wings, district opts to delay levy request

The Columbia Falls School District 6 school board Monday night decided to delay an elementary levy election of about $454,000.

The board, after a lengthy discussion, decided it would wait to see if the STARS Act, which is being debated in the state Legislature, passes. 

The bill would boost teacher pay for qualifying schools and if it passes as written, Columbia Falls would qualify for funding under the act. 

The STARS Act, combined with House Bill 15, which gives state funding for schools about a 3% boost over the next biennium, would put the district’s elementary budget in the black about $65,000. 

House Bill 15 was expected to be signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte this week. 

The combined state funding of HB15 and STARS, would not, however, restore cuts the district made last year when it cut more than four teacher positions as well as paraeducators when a levy request of more than $430,000 was voted down. 

The elementary budget is seeing a downturn after enrollment in the kindergarten class this year dropped sharply, about 90 students. 

All told, enrollment at the elementary schools is down about 70 students this year, but for state funding purposes, the district can take the three-year average, so the net effect is 22 students. 

That’s important, because state funding is tied directly to enrollment. 

The district could have asked voters to approve the $454,000 levy request before the Legislature decided on STARS, but board members weren’t comfortable asking for a levy and then telling voters they might not need all the money. 

“I don’t think it’s a good message to send out right now,” Trustee Heather Mumby said. “Especially in this climate ... Makes us sound like we’re not sure what we’re doing.” 

Mumby suggested the school delay a vote and have a special election if need be. 

In the end, the rest of the board agreed, noting that the election can always be canceled if state funding comes through. 

The one problem with a special election is the district will have to run it, whereas the county elections department was going to run a regular levy in May.

A special levy, if it happens at all, would come in June. 

They will set the exact date for the special election on Friday.