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OPHIR SCHOOL DISTRICT #72
MAY 4, 2010 SCHOOL ELECTION LEVY FAQ
Why are there two levy propositions on the ballot and what does each levy pay for?
The General Fund Levy is used to fund the cost of operations of the school that exceed the money the district receives from the state. This year, the district is requesting an additional 4.24 mill levy for a total of $95,271.70. Funds garnered from this levy must be used in the year they are received, but can be used for unrestricted operations of the school—from salaries to books to curriculum--virtually all costs associated with running the school.
The Building Reserve Levy was created to fund facility upgrade, facility (physical plant) maintenance and repair, grounds maintenance and improvements, and equipment purchases and upgrade. The levy dollars collected can roll-over from year to year, but can ONLY be used for those costs specified above. This includes items like water testing, snow plowing, septic field maintenance, and other tasks required for operating the building safely and in compliance with the law. It also includes major maintenance and repair costs. Passage of the Building Reserve levy will alleviate the General Fund budget of specific major maintenance and repair costs that are included as responsibilities of the Building Reserve Fund. This allows these dollars currently budgeted in the FY11 General Fund budget to go to other district programs. The requested FY11 levy replaces an existing levy that expires in June. This year, the Ophir District is requesting a 3.78 mill levy of $84,350.00 per year to be assessed over three years or a total of $253,050 over the three year period.
Passage of both levies will allow the General Fund to add 1.3375 certified staff FTE (full time equivalent) in addition to maintaining its current level of staffing and programs. If either or both levies fail, staffing and programming will have to be reduced. These reductions could include, but are not limited to, combining grade level/classrooms, eliminating programs like elementary music instruction and increasing class size.
How will passage of these levies impact the taxes I pay?
Passage of the General Fund Levy will increase taxes on a $200,000 home by estimated $14.47 annually.
The current fiscal year (FY10) Building Reserve levy expires on June 30, 2010. The requested Building Reserve Levy on the May 4, 2010 ballot will replace this existing levy. There will be a slight increase in taxes paid, going from $7.68 a year on a $200,000 home currently to an estimated $12.90 a year on a $200,000 home, an estimated increase $5.22 per year.
Aren't our property taxes enough?
Education funding in Montana is equalized; all the state educational property taxes collected are distributed to schools across the state according to Montana school funding formulas. The local levy offers district taxpayers a choice to support their local schools with a levy which stays in the district. Given the level of the state’s funding to education, all districts find it necessary to supplement their school budgets with additional levies.
What will happen to the school district if the General Fund Levy or Building Reserve Levy doesn't pass?
A balanced school budget is required by law. The district’s preliminary 2010-2011 budget allows for 1.3375 certified staff FTE (full time equivalent) increase while maintaining the current (2009-2010) level of staffing and programs. Following the failure of the General Fund and Building Reserve levies in 2009, staff and programs were cut. The school district is not attempting to reinstate these 2009 cuts with the passage of this levy, but simply to operate at the same level as the 2009-2010 school year and to include the necessary (per State of Montana Accreditation Standards) certified staff FTE increase for required programs. If either of the levies fail, additional cuts in programs and staffing will be required in order to balance the budget.
Isn't there another way to fund school budgets without raising taxes?
The Ophir District actively seeks federal/state/local grants and private donation funding whenever possible. Many federal grants are not available to Ophir School District because the percentage of families falling below the poverty line is less than 20%.
What is the school doing to cut back on costs in this tight economy?
Last year, the teachers of the Ophir School District took a voluntary freeze on the certified matrix base salary. The School Board eliminated programs that were part of the school’s curriculum such as elementary Spanish. Some programs were reduced to minimal state standards.
