Why support Missoula County Public School levies?
The quality of education we provide our local school children and youth has a direct impact on our community today and what it will be in the future. The upcoming levies support necessary facility maintenance throughout Missoula County Public Schools as well as all teachers and the programs – both in-classroom and extra-curricular – that they teach. Local funding of public education takes on added significance as the MCPS district may face funding cuts from the state legislature.
The MCPS elementary district serves the Missoula urban core and the high school district serves a broader area including Lolo, Bonner, Clinton, Target Range, Hellgate Elementary, Seeley Lake and other small communities.
Voters who live in both MCPS elementary and high school districts will be asked to pass four levies (elementary building, elementary operations, high school building and high school operations). Voters who live in an MCPS high school district served by another K-8 district will be asked to pass two levies (high school building and high school operations).
Building Reserves and General Fund Operation levies have different purposes:
Building Reserve Levies
A Building Reserve pays for scheduled and emergency maintenance and repairs essential for keeping our school facilities safe. The elementary and high school Building Reserve levies renew the existing levies that expire July 1, 2011, and do not increase taxes for property owners from 2010. Learn more.
| Elementary Building Reserve Levy |
|
| Total levy: |
$2,500,000 |
| Per year for five years: | $500,000 |
| Tax impact: | $7.75 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000 $15.50 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $200,000 |
| High School Building Reserve Levy |
|
| Total levy: |
$3,150,000 |
| Per year for seven years: | $450,000 |
| Tax impact: | $4.02 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000 $8.05 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $200,000 |
General Fund Levies
Operational levies directly support staff salaries and benefits, and all the programs / curricula teachers teach. Passing these levies will help MCPS avoid significant drops in staffing and program levels due to federal and state budget cuts. The General Fund Levies proposed impact the 2011-2012 academic year. Learn more.
| Elementary General Fund Operation Levy |
|
| Total levy: |
$435,000 |
| Tax impact: | $6.74 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000 $13.49 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $200,000 |
| High School General Fund Operation Levy |
|
| Total levy: |
$710,000 |
| Tax impact: | $6.35 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $100,000 $12.69 per year on a home/property with an assessed value of $200,000 |
