In May 2014, the Lone Rock School District will be seeking a 5% general fund mill levy. This levy will pay to sustain the present programs at their present level as well as add some campus security.
Based on student enrollment, the state of Montana pays school districts 80% of the money that is expected to run schools. The state expects districts to obtain additional needed revenue from local taxpayers. Lone Rock has operated at 80% revenue capacity and has not asked the community for additional funding to operate schools for more than 25 years.
According to District Superintendent Dr. Roger Samples, the district has experienced continued decreasing federal and state revenues with increasing yearly expenditures. The levy will allow the district to collect about $100,000 per year which will be used to maintain basic educational programs and services for students. Samples also noted that this is a levy with a 5% cap and cannot be increased without another public vote.
Funds collected through the mill levy will be used to help pay for the district’s day-to day operations that are not fully funded by the State. Programs not funded through state revenues include:
• maintaining small class size, curriculum, and classroom support
• high quality breakfast and lunch program
• Middle School ski program
• arts, music and athletics
• security and campus safety (electronic card swipe lock system)
• school librarians, counselors and administrations
• grounds, maintenance and custodial services
• utilities and insurance.
The levy will cost taxpayers an additional $2.77 per month or $33.24 per year on each $100,000 of assessed value.
The Lone Rock School District will hold an information meeting on the general fund mill levy on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the gymnasium. The meeting will be to explain the levy and what it will be paying for.