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Board splits on vote to put levy on ballot
Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson points Thursday in Robins School Administration Building as district Business Manager Mike Arnold reads from his computer screen during a meeting to vote on whether to place a school district mill levy increase on the ballot for the next election.
The Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees agreed Thursday afternoon, in a split vote, to put a school levy on the May 3 Election Day ballot and allow taxpayers a chance to vote for an annual tax increase of $10.21 on a home valued at $100,000.
Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson said the tax hike is needed to maintain the quality of education the elementary schools have been providing. He said the price of education has a habit of increasing, and, without the levy, cuts would have to be made. The effects would not necessarily be felt next year, he said, but a few years down the road. Classes would probably increase, electives would be cut, counselors would be "affected" and staff may be cut.
The trustees voted 4-2 to place the levy on the ballot. The members who voted for the levy were Tim Scheele, Theresa Miller, Harvey Capellen and Cindy Erickson. Those who voted against it were Ed Hill and Norm Proctor.
Trustee Curtis Smeby was absent.
Carlson said the trustees preferred to have a unanimous vote and even considered not putting the levy on the ballot because it wasn't so, but Montana law dictates that a majority vote means the levy must be put on the ballot.
Carlson pointed out, after the meeting, that Trustee Aileen Couch was only allowed to vote on high school matters.
The $10.21 increase is per $100,000 home value. So a family with a home valued at $200,000 by the Hill County assessor would pay an annual increase of $20.41 annually.
Carlson said he will be glad to discuss the levy with anyone, as long as people leave a name and number he can return a call to. He can be reached at 265-4356.
Voters will also have the chance to vote for two candidates to fill the two open trustee openings. Candidate options will be Wayen Bolken, Kisha Fegan, Shaylee Lewis, Theresa Miller and Norman Proctor. Voting will happen at the Sunnyside Elementary Gymnasium 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Absentee ballots will be available April 13. Voters can get a ballot by writing to Election Coordinator, Box 7791, Robins School, Havre, MT 59501. Absentee voting closes May 2 at noon.
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