The May 5 K-8 Elementary District Levy Our Kids. Our Future. Dear Neighbors and Families of Kalispell, KALISPELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS As your Board of Trustees for Kalispell Public Schools, we are writing to share information about the K-8 Elementary District Levy that will appear on your May 5 ballot. You are probably asking, "didn't we just have a levy?" Yes. Last spring, this community came together in a historic way on a high school levy. That vote determined funding for more than 100 course offerings and 21 teaching positions for our high school students. Those funds can only be used for our high school district, not our K-8 elementary district, which consists of Kalispell Middle School and six elementary schools - Edgerton, Elrod, Hedges, Peterson, Rankin, and Russell. HERE IS WHAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MAY 5. WHY THIS K-8 LEVY IS ON THE BALLOT The KPS K-8 Elementary District serves 2,906 students in grades PreK-8 across six elementary schools and Kalispell Middle School. Investment in learning at an early age has a meaningful impact on students' personal growth and academic success. In 2023, the community approved a K-8 elementary general fund levy. The Board is grateful for that support. Since then, inflation and structural funding pressures have changed what the same dollars purchase in the K-8 district's budget. Additionally, our K-8 elementary district operates under a different funding structure than the high school district. Even though our K-8 district serves 116 fewer students than the high school district, state- mandated class sizes require it to employ 12 more full-time teachers, all while receiving $1,448 less per student in state funding. The district has not brought a K-8 elementary general fund levy to voters since 2023. Under Montana law, a vote of the people is the only way to authorize general fund revenue above the minimum state-funded level, which is why this question is now before you. WHAT THIS K-8 LEVY WOULD DO If approved, the $1.1 million K-8 levy would support current staffing and class sizes, re-establish general fund revenue for the K-8 elementary district, and provide for the basic essentials that support all nine grade levels. For the average Kalispell homeowner, the estimated cost is approximately $4.19 per month. A cost-per-home table is posted at sd5.k12.mt.us/levy. CREATING OUR CADENCE 2025 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY STARS Act Educator Pay 2025 HIGH SCHOOL LEVY 18-Year Funding Gap $2.9 Million 2026 ELEMENTARY LEVY 3-Year Inflationary Adjustments $1.1 Million 2027 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY State School Funding Formula 2028 JOINT LEVIES K-8 & 9-12 Begin Regular 2-3 Year Cycle Montana law is structured so that approximately 20 percent of school funding comes from local voters. The Board believes the State should be making a bigger investment in our schools. In odd-numbered years (i.e. 2027) when the Legislature is in session, we focus our efforts on working with our legislators to fully fund our schools. If those efforts are not successful, then in even-numbered years (i.e. 2028) the district may need to return to the community to address any remaining funding gaps. This planned, multi-year approach allows the district to focus its efforts when the Legislature is in session and return to voters the following year only if needed. We are sharing this cadence now so the community knows what we are doing on the overall funding question and what to expect in the years ahead. A DECISION WE MAKE TOGETHER This is bigger than one school or one neighborhood. It is about every child in Kalispell who walks through the doors of Edgerton, Elrod, Hedges, Peterson, Rankin, Russell, and Kalispell Middle School. These are the classrooms where our students build their critical foundations for their futures. Whatever you decide, we want your decision to be an informed one. Please take the time to read your mail ballot, ask questions, and return it by 8:00 p.m. on May 5, 2026. Your ballot is your voice. With appreciation for the community we serve, Board of Trustees - Kalispell Public Schools Scott Warnell, Chair Scannell Jinnifer Mariman, Vice-Chair Jack Fallon Rebecca Linden Jeep Le Carrie Eklund Will Hiatt Brian Putnam Jennifer Sevier Linda Kaps mes DYKO Lada Cape Heidi Hickethier Heide Suchelhe Ursula Wilde Voula Wide LEARN MORE Scan to visit sd5.k12.mt.us/levy Paid Advertising by Kalispell Public Schools, 233 1st Avenue East, Kalispell, MT 59901. This is an informational communication and is not intended to support or oppose the ballot issue (§ 13-35-226(3), MCA). The May 5 K - 8 Elementary District Levy Our Kids . Our Future . Dear Neighbors and Families of Kalispell , KALISPELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS As your Board of Trustees for Kalispell Public Schools , we are writing to share information about the K - 8 Elementary District Levy that will appear on your May 5 ballot . You are probably asking , " didn't we just have a levy ? " Yes . Last spring , this community came together in a historic way on a high school levy . That vote determined funding for more than 100 course offerings and 21 teaching positions for our high school students . Those funds can only be used for our high school district , not our K - 8 elementary district , which consists of Kalispell Middle School and six elementary schools - Edgerton , Elrod , Hedges , Peterson , Rankin , and Russell . HERE IS WHAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD SHOULD KNOW BEFORE MAY 5 . WHY THIS K - 8 LEVY IS ON THE BALLOT The KPS K - 8 Elementary District serves 2,906 students in grades PreK - 8 across six elementary schools and Kalispell Middle School . Investment in learning at an early age has a meaningful impact on students ' personal growth and academic success . In 2023 , the community approved a K - 8 elementary general fund levy . The Board is grateful for that support . Since then , inflation and structural funding pressures have changed what the same dollars purchase in the K - 8 district's budget . Additionally , our K - 8 elementary district operates under a different funding structure than the high school district . Even though our K - 8 district serves 116 fewer students than the high school district , state- mandated class sizes require it to employ 12 more full - time teachers , all while receiving $ 1,448 less per student in state funding . The district has not brought a K - 8 elementary general fund levy to voters since 2023. Under Montana law , a vote of the people is the only way to authorize general fund revenue above the minimum state - funded level , which is why this question is now before you . WHAT THIS K - 8 LEVY WOULD DO If approved , the $ 1.1 million K - 8 levy would support current staffing and class sizes , re - establish general fund revenue for the K - 8 elementary district , and provide for the basic essentials that support all nine grade levels . For the average Kalispell homeowner , the estimated cost is approximately $ 4.19 per month . A cost - per - home table is posted at sd5.k12.mt.us/levy . CREATING OUR CADENCE 2025 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY STARS Act Educator Pay 2025 HIGH SCHOOL LEVY 18 - Year Funding Gap $ 2.9 Million 2026 ELEMENTARY LEVY 3 - Year Inflationary Adjustments $ 1.1 Million 2027 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY State School Funding Formula 2028 JOINT LEVIES K - 8 & 9-12 Begin Regular 2-3 Year Cycle Montana law is structured so that approximately 20 percent of school funding comes from local voters . The Board believes the State should be making a bigger investment in our schools . In odd - numbered years ( i.e. 2027 ) when the Legislature is in session , we focus our efforts on working with our legislators to fully fund our schools . If those efforts are not successful , then in even - numbered years ( i.e. 2028 ) the district may need to return to the community to address any remaining funding gaps . This planned , multi - year approach allows the district to focus its efforts when the Legislature is in session and return to voters the following year only if needed . We are sharing this cadence now so the community knows what we are doing on the overall funding question and what to expect in the years ahead . A DECISION WE MAKE TOGETHER This is bigger than one school or one neighborhood . It is about every child in Kalispell who walks through the doors of Edgerton , Elrod , Hedges , Peterson , Rankin , Russell , and Kalispell Middle School . These are the classrooms where our students build their critical foundations for their futures . Whatever you decide , we want your decision to be an informed one . Please take the time to read your mail ballot , ask questions , and return it by 8:00 p.m. on May 5 , 2026. Your ballot is your voice . With appreciation for the community we serve , Board of Trustees - Kalispell Public Schools Scott Warnell , Chair Scannell Jinnifer Mariman , Vice - Chair Jack Fallon Rebecca Linden Jeep Le Carrie Eklund Will Hiatt Brian Putnam Jennifer Sevier Linda Kaps mes DYKO Lada Cape Heidi Hickethier Heide Suchelhe Ursula Wilde Voula Wide LEARN MORE Scan to visit sd5.k12.mt.us/levy Paid Advertising by Kalispell Public Schools , 233 1st Avenue East , Kalispell , MT 59901. This is an informational communication and is not intended to support or oppose the ballot issue ( § 13-35-226 ( 3 ) , MCA ) .