THANK YOU!
Dear Friends of Kalispell Public Schools,
I’m incredibly grateful to share that the Kalispell High School levy has passed! This outcome brings a flood of gratitude, knowing what it means for our current and future high school students, their families, and our entire community.
Out of 20,948 total ballots, 55.57% voted for and 44.43% voted against. Overall voter turnout was the highest in recent history at 49.59%, according to the Flathead County Elections Office.
This support not only strengthens our schools but also reinforces the vitality of our local businesses and the long-term health of our community as a whole.
In an era marked by division, I’m especially thankful to serve a community that can come together in support of our most valuable investment, our children.
A True Community Achievement
This victory belongs to every member of our educational community who recognized the momentum within our schools and our shared commitment to educational excellence.
This was more than a school district levy request. It was a community-wide effort to elevate and invest in our schools and programs.
- To our 350+ business and industry partners who invest in the value of KPS education
- To our dedicated students who shared their personal stories about why this levy matters
- To our community leaders who championed the cause in newspapers and public forums
- To the countless volunteers who knocked on doors, made phone calls, and placed yard signs
- To every single voter who made their voice heard
There is nothing more humbling and honoring than to be entrusted with the children and financial resources of this community. We have united around a shared and meaningful purpose to sustain the incredible work taking place in our schools, maintain this positive momentum, and ensure the best possible learning environments for our children.
What This Means for Our Students
This successful levy prevents the elimination of over 100 course offerings and 20.5 teaching positions. It ensures that our students will continue to benefit from:
- Robust academic programs preparing them for college and careers
- Work-based learning opportunities with local businesses
- Student-centered learning that empowers all K-12 students
- Maintaining our status as one of the most dynamic educational experiences in Montana
To All Voters: We Value Your Voice
To everyone who voted "YES"—thank you for recognizing that investing in our schools means investing in our community's future.
To everyone who voted "NO"—we want you to know that your voice matters. We value your participation in this process and understand that differing viewpoints strengthen our community. KPS remains committed to working with all members of our community to ensure that everyone understands the financial allocation of taxpayer dollars across the school district. We believe in good stewardship of community resources and hope for continued dialogue around the community investment in public education.
Moving Forward Together
While we celebrate today, tomorrow begins the important work of honoring the trust our community has placed in Kalispell Public Schools.
The "YES" vote wasn't the end goal, it was the critical foundation we needed to continue building a student experience that provides graduates with the best opportunities for career and college success.
I invite all of us to carry this collaborative spirit forward as we implement programs that benefit students, strengthen our workforce, and enhance our entire community.
With appreciation,
Matt Jensen
Superintendent
Kalispell Public Schools
Your Vote Matters!
Strengthening Our Schools, Securing Our Future
The proposed high school levy on the May 6, 2025, ballot aims to generate approximately $2.9M to provide students with:
• Educational excellence and dynamic course offerings
• Access to career & college pathways and partner experiences
• Competitive advantages following graduation
Serving more than 6,000 students at 12 schools, Kalispell Public Schools (KPS) is implementing an innovative K-12 student experience that begins in kindergarten and extends through high school graduation.
Through partnerships with local businesses and a focus on hands-on experiences that connect with classroom learning, KPS is preparing students for future success in career, college, and community.
However, as Montana's lowest-funded AA district, KPS faces challenges in scaling these opportunities to every student. 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.
Teaching positions will be eliminated, student course offerings greatly reduced, and successful placement in career and college after graduation will be at-risk.
Without a high school levy, the following will occur:
• 20.5 High school teaching positions eliminated
• More than 100 high school course offerings reduced - impacting career and college placement and eligibility
• Phasing out of legacy programs, such as:
• Agriculture Center & FFA
• Athletics and teams
• Trades classes, such as:
• Welding
• Mechanic Shop
• House Construction
• Culinary
• Speech & Debate
• The Arts / Theatre / Music
• More courses yet to be determined
PUBLIC NOTICE
DOWNLOAD: Levy Fast Facts
Available free to all community members interested in learning about the high school levy.
Podcast: Understanding the High School Levy
The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce explores how this levy directly affects our students, families, and community as a whole. This podcast features discussions with Matt Jensen, Superintendent, and Jinn Merriman, a dedicated school board trustee and parent.
Listeners will gain insights into the vital role local levies play in providing quality education, funding critical programs, and ensuring that our schools can continue to thrive. You’ll learn about the potential ramifications of not passing the levy—including the loss of teaching positions, reduced course offerings and increased class sizes that could hinder student success.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Increasing Taxes Don't Go to Public Education - added 4-1-25
- Marijuana Revenue & Public Schools in Montana - added 4-9-25
- Why this Levy Matters
- Taxpayer Impact
- Educational Approach
- Student Impact
- Community Partnerships
- Implementation and Accountability
- Additional Programs & Offerings
Increasing Taxes Don't Go to Public Education - added 4-1-25
Marijuana Revenue & Public Schools in Montana - added 4-9-25
Why this Levy Matters
Taxpayer Impact
Educational Approach
Student Impact
Community Partnerships
Implementation and Accountability
Additional Programs & Offerings
This Levy Matters: Fast Facts
High School Levy
Funding Figures:
- KPS is currently 90% funded, the lowest compared to other AA districts
- The proposed levy aims to generate approximately $2.9M in funding
- KPS per-student funding is $8,047 (lowest) compared to other AA districts ranging from $8,526 to $9,212
Budget Allocation:
- KPS invests 5% more in high school instruction than the average AA district average
- KPS invests 4% more in elementary instruction than the average AA district
- KPS central office spending is 3% (below average AA district at 3.64%)
Tax Impact:
- Average homeowner with $447,000 assessed value: $6.15/month or $73.80/year
- Tax rates per $100,000 of assessed value: $1.38/month or $16.52/year
- Current taxpayer rate: 47 cents per $1 in student funding, compared to highest AA district
K-12 Student Experience
District Statistics:
- KPS serves more than 6,000 students at 12 schools
- K-8 students from 13 partner districts graduate into the KPS high school system
Partnership Data:
- 300+ Flathead business and industry partners
- 15,000+ unique experiences for K-8 students
- 250+ internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning connections for high school students
Student Outcomes:
- Students developing career/college direction earlier
- Graduates securing skilled positions with local employers
- First-choice placement in college or university
Sustainable Funding Required
- 20.5 high school teaching positions would be eliminated without levy
- More than 100 high school course options would be reduced
This Levy Matter: Protecting the Student Experience
Without a high school levy, these primary areas of the student experience will be impacted in the 2025-26 academic year:
20.5 high school teaching positions will be eliminated.
This leads to greater class sizes and limits the innovative learning model of student-centered personalized learning.
More than 100 high school course options will be reduced - limiting pathways for career and college placement.
This places the student experience at risk of reducing access to the network of 300+ business and industry partners that provided 15,000+ unique student experiences and 250+ internships across all K-12 classes during the 2024-25 academic year.
With 90% funding further declining next year, KPS will be forced to phase out legacy offerings, such as:
• Agriculture Center & FFA
• Athletics and teams
• Trades classes, such as:
• Welding
• Mechanic Shop
• House Construction
• Internships and Apprenticeships
• Work Based Learning
• Business & Industry Partnerships
• Speech & Debate
• The Arts / Theatre / Music
This Levy Matters: Understanding the Financial Investment
This Levy Matters: Prioritizing Learning Over Admin & Operations
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.
This Levy Matter: Student Outcomes Determine Community Success
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.
This Levy Matters: Scaling the KPS Community Network
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.