Missoula school board approves permissive levy estimates, puts $1 million high‑school safety levy on ballot

The Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees on March 11 approved estimates of permissive levies for elementary and high‑school budgeted funds and voted to place a $1 million high‑school safety levy on the ballot.

The board set the elementary overbase levy at $384,947 and the high‑school overbase levy at $1,642,315, figures staff said are aimed at getting each district to ‘‘max budget’’ under current state formulas. Trustees also approved permissive‑levy increases tied to transportation and tuition funds, and voted 6–1 to place a $1 million high‑school safety and security levy on the ballot after debate about taxpayer impact and timing.

Trustees and district finance staff said the levies respond to cost increases in several narrow budget areas. Pat McHugh, district staff who presented the levy estimates, said transportation costs rose in part because of a 7% increase negotiated with Beach Transportation and because the district plans to assume additional routes that will require new vans and drivers. McHugh said the tuition fund estimate includes an increase to cover excess special‑education costs (about $550,000 in the district’s estimate) and an additional $250,000 estimated…