Due to the restoration of state funding that was reduced in the 2017 special session, the total taxpayer cost to fund the elementary and high school district General Fund will only go up by a total of $2.20 per $200K in home value, even if the voted levies both pass.

What does the levy pay for?

Schools are unique governmental entities that have to raise money locally through a voter-approved levy to maintain the funding that allows us reach our maximum budget beyond what the state provides for our base budget.

When the need has arisen, Missoula taxpayers have passed operations levies for the past 18 years.  These levies help us fund operational expenditures up to our maximum budget. Operations levies have allowed the District sustain our continued success toward important student outcomes like:

• In 2017-18, MCPS met an 87.8% 4-year cohort graduation rate with a 4% drop out rate.
• By January of 2019, our STAR assessment data showed:
  • 8 of 9 elementary schools have 80% or more students reaching above proficiency levels in Early Literacy skills.
  • One elementary school, recognized as a Title 1 school, experienced the greatest amount of student achievement growth in comparison to all our nine elementary schools.
  • All three middle schools experienced up to 10% of student achievement growth toward the At/Above Benchmark in Reading.
  • One high school increased student achievement by 6% of students reaching Above Proficiency in Reading.
• MCPS high school students compete at the state, regional, national and international levels in high school athletics, Speech and Debate, DECA, BPA, Robotics, Choir, Band and Orchestra.
• MCPS juniors performed a point higher than the state average on the ACT test.
• Grades 3-8 achieve up to 15% higher than the state average on both ELA and Math portions of the national SBAC.
• Grades 4 and 5 increased by 8% of students earning proficiency level in the EL portion of the SBAC.
• Taxpayer investment allows MCPS to maintain 21st Century Strategic Investments in programs such as STEM, Career and Technology Education, International Baccalaureate, Agricultural Education, Dual Language Immersion, Dual Credit, and Advanced Placement.

Operational levies allow the District to sustain the current level of staffing and programs.

Operations levies also pay for utilities, supplies, curriculum and teaching materials.

Why does the District have to request a levy?

We have seen steady increases in student enrollment and in the cost of goods and services. We have over 600 more students (12% increase) in our elementary and middle schools than we did nine years ago and our enrollment in the high schools has grown by more than 100 students in the past three years. These levies help us support additional students and keep up with inflation.

What happens if the levy does not pass?

The District will be obligated to find alternative ways to balance the budget, which may include making cuts in areas funded by the General Fund.

When will I receive my ballot?

Ballots will be mailed on April 17, 2019. 

All ballots must be returned on or before Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

Where can I return my ballot?

1. Missoula Fairgrounds Election Center, 1101 South Ave, West, Bldg. 15, Missoula, MT 59801
2. Target Range Elementary 4095 South Avenue West, Missoula, MT 59804
3. Hellgate Elementary 2385 Flynn Lane, Missoula, MT 59808
4. Lolo Elementary 11395 US Hwy 93 South, Lolo, MT 59847
5. Clinton Elementary 20397 E Mullan Road, Clinton, MT 59825
6. Frenchtown Fire Department 16863 Marion Street, Frenchtown, MT 59834
7. Potomac Elementary 29750 Potomac Road Potomac, MT 59823