Official MCPS Levy Amounts and How Much it Could Cost You

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - This week, registered voters in Missoula will begin receiving their ballots for this year’s school elections. Missoula County Public Schools has funding requests on the ballot. This will be an all-mail ballot election.  

According to MCPS Communication Specialist Tyler Christensen, ballots will be mailed to registered voters on Wednesday, April 17, and must be returned to the Missoula County Elections Office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7. 

MCPS General Fund Levies: 

“The General Fund pays for staff salaries and benefits, instruction, programs, and general operation of our schools (utilities, insurance, supplies, curriculum, etc.),” Christensen said. “The amount that can be requested via locally voted levies is determined by a state funding formula. By state law, a portion of a public school district’s general fund must be locally voted.” 

Christensen said the addition of funds from successful levies provides 20% of the operating budget that the state allows the district to adopt based on current enrollment figures.  

“With declining enrollment, passage of the levy in the Elementary District would mean a total budgetary increase of just over 1%,” Christensen said. “The General Fund levies, if passed by Missoula voters, will provide the MCPS General Fund with the maximum funding allowed by state law.” 

Elementary District (K-8) General Fund Levy: 

• Total amount: $105,134 
• Cost per $100,000 in assessed property value: $0.79/year 
• Cost per $500,000 in assessed property value: $3.95/year 

High School District (9-12) General Fund Levy: 

• Total amount: $403,627 
• Cost per $100,000 in assessed property value: $1.65/year 
• Cost per $500,000 in assessed property value: $8.25/year 

Read More: Missoula Superintendent Hill Makes His Case for School Levies

MCPS Safety Levies: 

Christensen said the purpose of the Safety Levies is to support and improve school safety, which is a crucial component of public education.  

“Safety issues require a growing portion of school resources, and passing these safety levies would allow MCPS to dedicate funding to school safety instead of paying for safety-related expenses out of the general fund,” Christensen said. 

The Safety Levies would help MCPS pay for: 

• Improved campus security systems and facilities 
• Technology upgrades and maintenance 
• New equipment and system upgrades 
• Preventative services 
• School Resource Officers (SROs), school counselors, and behavioral interventionists 
• Staff who provide safety support for their school building or for the District 

Elementary District (K-8) Safety Levy: 

• Total levy amount: $1.5 million 
• Cost per $100,000 in assessed property value: $11.24/year 
• Cost per $500,000 in assessed property value: $56.20/year 

High School District (9-12) Safety Levy: 

• Total levy amount: $1 million 
• Cost per $100,000 in assessed property value: $4.08/year 
• Cost per $500,000 in assessed property value: $20.40/year 

For more information about these levy requests, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the MCPS website.