Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees ask for support on mill levy

Dear Havre residents:

The Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees seeks your support for the Elementary District General fund Mill Levy on the May 7, 2024, ballot. Approval of this levy will allocate an extra $138,615.45 to bolster educational initiatives for K-8 students in Havre. Passage of this proposal will result in a tax increase of approximately $7.40 per year for a home valued at $100,000, $22.19 per year for a home valued at $300,000, and $44.39 on a home valued at $600,000.

HPS has diligently pursued grant funds to supplement our existing budgets. This includes securing a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Grant from OPI, EPA Clean School Bus Program Grants, and a US Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant. Presently, we are seeking a US EPA Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant, aiming to support facility upgrades like a new boiler at the high school. Additionally, our educators and administrators actively seek grant funding from local non-profits to acquire classroom resources. While appreciative of these grants, they are limited in scope and cannot address operational costs covered by our general fund.

Despite our efforts to diversify funding sources, HPS struggles to sustain daily operations with our current elementary budget. Recent increases in insurance rates alone are anticipated to cost our district an additional $295,000. Moreover, the shift from textbook-based to technology-based curriculum has led to escalating subscription costs annually. Utility expenses for our four elementary school buildings pose a significant budgetary challenge, expected to surge by 28%. Last year, due to budget constraints, our certified teachers accepted a mere 1% wage increase for the 2023-2024 school year, insufficient to keep pace with inflation averaging nearly 6% over the last two years. To retain our dedicated staff, maintain our facilities, and uphold the quality of education, we must explore a mill levy as a supplementary funding source.

As trustees, we work closely with our administrators to manage school budgets, always prioritizing the educational welfare of our students. Your vote on the May 7 ballot will enable us to sustain safe, enriching, and effective learning environments where our students can thrive.

Thank you for your continued support of our schools and students.

Sincerely,

The Havre Board of Trustees, Elementary District

Tim Scheele (chair)

Christin Hileman (vice-chair)

Garrit Ophus

Lorraine Larson

Kevin Johnson

Jake Ingram

Tyler Gibson