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Board approves placeholder to pursue 2026 elementary general fund levy
Summary
The Kalispell Public Schools board voted to place a placeholder on the calendar that preserves the option to pursue a 2026 elementary general fund levy up to the maximum allowable amount; trustees emphasized additional community outreach and more analysis before deciding final amounts.
The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees voted at its meeting to approve a resolution placing a placeholder for a 2026 elementary general fund levy election, preserving the district's option to pursue a levy up to the maximum allowable amount.
Staff member (Speaker 12), introducing the item, said the legislative calendar change this year requires the district to act by Dec. 11 to retain the option. “This action item tonight is simply just to, put a placeholder in place,” the staff member said, framing the vote as procedural rather than a decision on whether or how much to ask from voters.
The board discussed the district's budget posture and the reasons for considering a levy. The staff presentation noted a preliminary projected elementary deficit of about $400,000 under current assumptions and flagged a roughly $1,500 per-student funding gap between the elementary and high school districts. A trustee summarized the core choice: preserve the option to ask voters, or let the calendar preclude a May levy and postpone the decision.
Trustees debated frequency and strategy for levies. Some favored an annual modest levy to keep pace with inflation and avoid large funding gaps; others urged caution and emphasized robust community outreach before presenting a question to voters. One trustee urged the board to define clearly what a levy would fund and to commit to following through on the stated uses.
After discussion the board took a voice vote; the chair called for ayes and the motion passed. The vote was by voice and recorded as passing in the meeting minutes; no roll-call tally was entered in the transcript.
Why it matters: The placeholder preserves the board's statutory option to place a 2026 levy on the ballot while allowing more time for budgeting details, community engagement and negotiations affecting salaries and staffing. Trustees said they expect follow-up work to determine amount and messaging to voters.
Next steps: Staff will gather additional budget detail and community feedback and return with recommendations and final levy language if the board chooses to proceed. The board set internal deadlines tied to the Dec. 11 calendar constraint that staff repeated during the discussion.
