Thank You for Past Levy Support! Vote "YES" for KIds in 2020!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Historically Colstrip votes yes for kids and has passed general fund school levies for more than three decades. The May 5, 2020 U.S. Mail Election Ballots went out in the mail on April 20, 2020.  DUE TO COVID-19, THE PREFERRED METHOD TO RETURN VOTED BALLOTS IS BY U.S. MAIL. However, ballots may be returned physically to the following locations, at the following times: Location Prior to Election Day: Central Administration Office at 216 Olive Drive, Colstrip, MT 59323 Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location on Election Day: Central Administration Office at 216 Olive Drive, Colstrip, MT 59323 Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

If you miss this regular registration deadline (30 days prior to the election), you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office up to and including on election day. Between noon and the close of business on the day before election day, you may complete and submit a voter registration card, but you will need to return to the district voting location on election day to pick up and vote a ballot. The county election office is located at: Rosebud County Courthouse, 1200 Main Street, Forsyth MT 59327.  A late registrant may obtain a ballot on election day at the following location: Central Administration Office, 216 Olive Drive, Colstrip MT 59323

There are two levies to be voted on.

●      High School General Fund Levy

○      Mill levy proposition to finance the school’s High School General Fund: To determine whether the district shall be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes in the amount of $257,840.95 which is approximately 3.37 mills to meet the normal operational costs of the High School District General Fund for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The levy is ongoing once approved by the voters assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.55 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $9.10.

●      Elementary General Fund Levy

○      Mill levy proposition to finance the school’s Elementary General Fund: To determine whether the district shall be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes in the amount of $273,584.76 which is approximately 3.58 mills to meet the normal operational costs of the Elementary District General Fund for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The levy is ongoing once approved by the voters assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.83 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $9.67.

As you may know, it is very important for Colstrip Public Schools to pass the General Fund Levies at both the High School and Elementary School. Your support is critical.

I would like to encourage you to ask questions about the impact of the Levy Funds. I would also encourage you to get out and vote. A vote for the Levy Funds is definitely a vote for the children in which we serve. These Levy Funds are crucial for maintaining salaries, equipment, curriculum, activities and the operational expenses of this district.

This community has taken pride in passing Levy Funds in the years past. This is a community that has traditionally supported its kids. Our teachers and staff members have played a key role in this process. I can't stress enough the importance in passing the Levy Funds.

Point of fact: Colstrip Public School District #19 has passed Levy Funds for 30 years; this level of community support played a instrumental role in the decisions of those that have awarded grants to our School District. This past year alone, the District has been awarded over $1.6 million dollars in competitive grants. Your support for our school levies is critical in so many ways. Get the word out and support our kids and see that these levies get a FOR vote. Thank you in advance for any, and all of your effort in seeing this need through.

Now For Some Good News: District Awarded $121,273.00 Grant

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

There has been a lot that has happened in the past several weeks. It almost seems surreal, but just before the pandemic, on March 12, 2020 the District did get some great news. It was awarded $121,273.00 through a coal grant we submitted to address the water main break. Once again, board members Bruce Brown and Brent Burton along with McKinstry Account Executive, Tyler Bush assisted me as we presented the Colstrip Water-main Grant Proposal to the Montana Coal Board.

If you remember, on December 11, 2019 Colstrip High School had a water main break outside of the facilities between the municipal water vault and the building where the gymnasium and classroom structure meets on the North side of the high school facilities. The break created a significant amount of damage as the amount of water coming out of the identified pipe not only found its way inside the building from on top of the ground, but also came up through the cement floor and walls and exited into classrooms through electrical outlet boxes. (See photos below). Due to the extenuating circumstances the school district was forced to close school for two days until the break could be repaired. When the water main pipe was excavated and the leak identified, there was significant concern that the pipe was compromised enough through corrosion and time that it could certainly break again at another place between the water vault and the building. The damages to the school district were substantial: the loss of two instructional days as well as over $80,000 worth of damage.

Technically speaking, the original cast iron water main pipe corroded due to high alkalinity in the soils and electrolysis.  It is anticipated that the replacement pipe will be CPVC with cast iron fittings.  Sacrificial anodes will be utilized to reduce corrosion at the fittings.  The sizing of these fittings will be determined following the compilation of a geotechnical report identifying the actual composition of the soils.  Approximately 100 lineal feet of pipe will be replaced from the city’s valve box to the connection inside the footprint of the high school.

We hope to get started on the water-main replacement as soon as possible. We are anticipating the funding early next fall.

This was one of two grants submitted to the Coal Board. The second grant was tabled until the June Meeting. The District feels very fortunate to have received this grant as it offsets funding that can be utilized to address other needs. Once again, thank you #MTCOAL and the Montana Coal Board and Department of Commerce.

Once again, stay safe, stay healthy and until we hear different stay home!