Letter to the Editor - Cottonwood schools hoping to count on 'yes' votes

Editor,

Due to decreasing enrollment the Cottonwood School District’s contribution received from federal and state funds will be reduced again for the coming school year. In order to remain open, the school must run a general levy to raise $30,000 to support the 2019-2020 general fund. The school’s general fund has been reduced annually for the past few years; this latest funding reduction is the biggest cut experienced by the district. The current 2018-2019 general budget is $204,869.66. For the 2020 fiscal year it has been cut by $34,034.50, decreasing the general budget to $170,835.16.

In order to keep the school open in the long term and attain our goal of reopening Cottonwood North in the future, continuing funding is needed. This levy will raise 8.98 mills, increasing the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $12.12 and increasing the taxes on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $24.25.

Overall, Cottonwood Elementary School District mills are very low in comparison to surrounding school districts. If Cottonwood School District schools were forced to close due to lack of funding, tax payers in the Cottonwood district will be required to pay Havre Elementary Public Schools taxes. In other words, the projected overall 2019-2020 Cottonwood Elementary School District budget with this levy is 45.89 mills versus a Havre Public Schools District Elementary budget of 170.25 mills.

A “yes” vote on the proposed levy will indeed increase our taxes, but not nearly as much as being absorbed into the Havre Public School System will increase them. The proposed levy will save voters money in the long run, plus ensuring that our rural students receive the personalized “small school” experience that they deserve.

Please look for your ballot in the mail soon.

Thank you,

Cottonwood Board of Trustees and District Clerk