Your Vote Matters!

Without a high school levy, these primary areas of the student experience will be impacted in the 2025-26 academic year:

Despite being the lowest funded AA district, KPS invests a higher percentage of general funds into instruction - directly benefiting students.

As a percentage of total budget, KPS invests more into K-12 learning and instruction than the average AA district.

Central Office spending and salaries (Superintendent, Business, & Human Resources) is the lowest expenditure category at 3% for KPS, which is below the average AA district.

Sustained Excellence Despite Funding Challenges

For 18 years, KPS has operated below full funding, and is currently 90% funded, the lowest compared to other AA districts. However, KPS has developed an innovative K-12 student experience that connects classroom learning to real-world opportunities through student-centered personalized learning and hands-on experiences in our community. As Montana's lowest-funded AA district, this high school levy represents a strategic investment in student outcomes and community success as KPS continues to focus on graduating students prepared for success in career and college.

Proven Student Success through Innovation

This year, KPS has worked with 300+ Flathead business and industry partners to create 15,000+ unique experiences for K-8 students and 250+ internships, apprenticeships, and work based learning connections for high school students.

These experiences are yielding measurable outcomes: Students are developing career and college direction earlier with graduates securing skilled positions with local employers and first-choice placement in college.

Cost-Effective Investment

Taxpayers currently pay 47 cents per $1 in student funding compared to the highest AA district. The high school levy is asking the average taxpayer to invest $6.15 a month or $73.80 a year. This breaks down to about $0.70 per-student funding for taxpayers, compared to the highest AA district at $1.

The size and population of Flathead County creates a lower-than-average tax burden per-student which brings down the average per-student funding rate and provides a greater value for taxpayers.

Economic Pipeline for Local Workforce

The K-12 student experience is a direct economic catalyst, connecting 6,000+ students with essential skills needed by 300+ local business and industry partners. Students develop direction and purpose earlier in their education, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that delivers community-wide benefits for local employers and the broader economy.

The KPS K-12 Student Experience is guided by Personalized Competency Based Education (PCBE).

This innovative approach shifts learning from a traditional one-size-fits-all to a more flexible K-12 Student Experience that ensures graduates develop the essential skills needed to thrive in career, college, and community.

The K-12 Career Exploration Pathways is at the heart of the KPS student experience.

This journey progresses from initial exposure to hands-on workforce experiences that provide age-appropriate career development activities.

LEVY BASICS

What is being proposed?

A high school levy on the May 6, 2025 ballot to generate approximately $2.9M in funding to support educational programs, personalized learning, and student opportunities throughout the district.

Why is this levy needed now?

KPS is the lowest funded AA District in the state of Montana. For 18 years, KPS has operated below full funding, and is currently 90% funded compared to other AA districts. Our high schools can no longer maintain current levels of innovation and dynamic course offerings without a local levy. Without the high school levy, KPS will need to eliminate 20.5 teaching positions and reduce over 100 course offerings.

KPS finances are set at a 2007 level because that was the last time voters approved a levy.

What does the levy fund specifically?

The levy supports maintaining innovative educational programs, personalized learning approaches, career exploration pathways, and specialized course offerings that prepare students for career, college, and community success.

Is this a one-time levy or ongoing?

This is an ongoing levy that would provide sustainable funding for educational programs rather than temporary support.

When is the election?

May 6, 2025

What specific programs and course offerings are at risk without levy funding?

Programs affected include, but not limited to:

• Agriculture Center & FFA
• Athletics and teams
• Trades classes (Welding, Mechanic Shop, House Construction)
• Internships and Apprenticeships
• Work-Based Learning
• Business & Industry Partnerships
• Speech & Debate
• The Arts, Theatre, and Music

FUNDING COMPARISONS

How does KPS funding compare to other Montana AA districts?

KPS is currently the lowest-funded AA district in Montana at $8,047 per student, compared to other AA districts ranging from $8,526 (Great Falls) to $9,212 (Helena).

How long has KPS operated with reduced funding?

For 18 years, KPS has operated below full funding, and is currently at 90% funding compared to other AA districts.

What portion of KPS funding comes from the state versus local sources?

Montana's education funding model provides approximately 80% from state sources, with local voters responsible for determining the remaining 20% through local levies.

How does KPS compare to other districts in administrative spending?

KPS central office spending is 3% of the budget, below the AA district average of 3.64%. KPS invests 5% more in high school instruction and 4% more in elementary instruction than the average AA district.

TAXPAYER IMPACT

How much will this levy cost the average homeowner?

For a home with an assessed value of $447,000 (Kalispell average), the levy would cost approximately $6.15 monthly or $73.80 annually.

How is the tax impact calculated for different property values?

• $100,000 assessed value: $1.38/month or $16.52/year
• $200,000 assessed value: $2.75/month or $33.04/year
• $300,000 assessed value: $4.13/month or $49.56/year
• $600,000 assessed value: $8.26/month or $99.12/year

How does Kalispell's tax burden compare to other districts?

Kalispell taxpayers currently pay 47 cents per dollar in student funding, the lowest among AA districts. Even with the levy (adding 23 cents), Kalispell would remain below other districts at 70 cents per dollar compared to up to $1.00 elsewhere.

Are property taxes based on market value or assessed value?

Property taxes are based on the assessed value of property, not market value.

EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

What is Personalized Competency Based Education (PCBE)?

PCBE shifts from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more flexible learning experience focused on individual student needs while maintaining high standards for achievement. It includes diverse learning environments, customized pacing, and clear learning objectives aligned with future success.

How does PCBE differ from traditional education?

PCBE differs in learning environment, teaching approach, pacing, assessment methods, student support, and college/career readiness focus. It emphasizes mastering competencies rather than just completing courses, provides personalized pacing, and integrates real-world applications.

How does the K-12 Career Exploration Pathway work?

The pathway provides age-appropriate career development activities from kindergarten through graduation:

• Career Awareness (K-5): Introducing career possibilities through experiential learning
• Career Exploration (6-8): Activities like job shadowing and career lessons
• Career Preparation (9-10): In-depth engagement with specialized paths
• Career Implementation (11-12): Internships, apprenticeships, and workforce entry

How has KPS maintained educational quality despite funding challenges?

KPS has developed innovative programs, maximized instructional spending, minimized administrative costs, and leveraged community partnerships to provide quality education despite funding limitations.

STUDENT IMPACT & OUTCOMES

What results has the current educational approach shown?

Students develop clearer career/college direction earlier, graduates secure skilled positions with local employers, and students achieve first-choice placement in higher education.

How many students benefit from career exploration programs?

All 6,000+ students participate in age-appropriate career activities. In the 2024-25 school year, elementary students engaged in 15,000+ unique experiences while 250+ high school students participated in internships and work-based learning opportunities.

What happens to student opportunities if the levy doesn't pass?

Without the levy, 20.5 teaching positions would be eliminated, more than 100 high school course options would be reduced, and programs such as Agriculture Center & FFA, athletics, trades classes, internships, and arts programs would face significant cuts.

How does the educational approach prepare students for diverse paths after graduation?

The personalized approach prepares students for multiple pathways including four-year universities, community colleges, technical programs, apprenticeships, military service, or direct workforce entry.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

How many local businesses partner with KPS?

More than 300 Flathead business and industry partners work with KPS to provide career exploration opportunities, internships, and work-based learning experiences.

How do these partnerships benefit local businesses?

Businesses develop talent pipelines, help shape workforce skills, and build connections with potential future employees. These partnerships create a bridge between classroom learning and workplace application.

Can you share examples of successful student experiences through these partnerships?

The documents highlight students like Dennis Hunter, who participated in KPS work-based learning and was hired by Schellinger Construction after graduation, now specializing in road and highway construction across Montana.

How many internships and work experiences has KPS facilitated?

The district has facilitated 250+ internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning connections for high school students, with 280+ student requests for internships for Summer 2025.

IMPLEMENTATION & ACCOUNTABILITY

How will the community know funds are being used appropriately?

The district's financial reports are public documents that show exactly how funds are allocated and spent. The school board provides oversight of all financial decisions.

Does levy funding go to administration or directly to student programs?

KPS has publicly committed that levy funds will go directly to student programs and teacher support, not to administration or central office costs.

How were the levy amount and tax impact calculated?

The levy request is based on calculated program costs incorporating implementation data. The amount represents funding needed to sustain educational quality with inflation adjustments built in.

How does KPS maximize educational value from limited funding?

KPS invests a higher percentage of its budget in direct instruction compared to other AA districts. Central office spending is below the AA district average, while instructional spending is above average.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS & OFFERINGS

What unique educational opportunities does KPS offer?

KPS offers personalized learning, diverse electives, community partnerships, real-world experiences, and specialized career pathways from kindergarten through high school.

How do elementary and middle school programs connect to high school offerings?

The K-12 career pathway creates a seamless progression from early awareness activities in elementary school through exploration in middle school to preparation and implementation in high school.

How are programs aligned with workforce needs?

Programs are developed in partnership with 300+ local businesses to address actual workforce needs and provide students with relevant skills for in-demand careers.