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Kalispell Chamber Luncheon – Kalispell Public Schools Operating Levy – 2/27

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon series will feature Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent, Mark Flatau, and the needs of the district as the sole highlight for its February 27th event.

In Flatau’s presentation, attendees can expect to see how Kalispell Public Schools stack up against other districts across the state and funding will stand out as a noticeable difference. Each year, school districts across the state receive approximately eighty percent of their funding from the State of Montana, leaving the rest of the operating monies to come from local residents. According to Flatau, many districts take the approach of running a levy every year to maintain maximum funding levels at 100%. Kalispell has opted not to hit local’s property taxes annually and as a result, only runs levies when funds are absolutely needed for operational costs.

"We don’t want to ask unless we have an absolute need to," said Flatau. "This year we are spending about $1.5 million in reserve funds to simply maintain program and operational support. Operating from reserve funds cannot support us in the future."

New revenue for Kalispell Public Schools, as given by the State of Montana in 2015 was approximately $930,000 between the elementary and high school districts. In 2017, due to a tight budget during the legislative session, Kalispell Public Schools ended up with $250,000 in new revenue.

The last General Fund Levies for Kalispell Public Schools were approved in 2007 for the high school district and 2012 at the elementary district. Since 2007 the district has seen an increase of 834 students and is on track to reach nearly 6,000 total public school students by the start of the 2018/2019 school year.

The Flathead Valley has seen steady population growth, landing a spot in the top ten percent of country growth nationwide between the years 1990 and 2015. As a result, Kalispell Public Schools will be opening the doors to its newest elementary school, Rankin Elementary, in August of this year. Operating costs for the new school alone will run approximately $600,000-750,000 per year.

The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees is currently in the final planning process for determining the exact details for the request, which is planned for public vote on a May 8, all mail-in-ballot later this spring. The final vote by the school board could occur on February 27, making the Kalispell Chamber luncheon the first public event with the details of the ballot issue.

The program is open to the public and will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. Tickets to this program are $20 for those interested in eating lunch. Listening to the program from the back of the room is free. Please register with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce at (406) 758-2803 by Friday, February 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

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About the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau

Since 1904, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau has been a leading voice in strengthening the Flathead Valley community and the business climate, with the goal of making Northwest Montana an ideal location to live and work. The Chamber consists of 725 businesses and organizations, which employ over half of the workforce in Flathead County, Montana.

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The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce is the longest-standing and leading advocate for the Flathead Valley community and business climate.

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