Vote YES for Kids: Building Reserve Levy

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

TRUSTEE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A BUILDING RESERVE LEVY ELECTION BE IT RESOLVED:

The Board of Trustees for School District No. 19, Rosebud County, State of Montana, will hold a special levy election on Tuesday, the 15th day of June, 2021, which date is not less than seventy (70) days after the passage of this resolution. The election will be conducted by Mail Ballot. The first purpose of the election is to authorize the district to impose a levy each year for five (5) years beginning July 1, 2021, to raise the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) per year and being approximately 2.62 mills per year for a maximum of One Million Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,875,000) to fund the Building Reserve of the elementary school district for the purpose of addressing playground drainage issues at Pine Butte Elementary School, the demolition of IBCLC and for projects involving safety and security, general repair and maintenance, construction, and renovation. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.04 per year and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $8.09 per year. 

The second purpose of the election is to authorize the district to impose a levy each year for five (5) years beginning July 1, 2021, to raise the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) per year and being approximately 2.62 mills per year for a maximum of One Million Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,875,000) to fund the Building Reserve of the high school district for the purpose of renovating public and academic restrooms to meet ADA code, repair sidewalks, upper and lower parking lot improvements, and for projects involving safety and security, general repair and maintenance, construction, and renovation. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.04 per year and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $8.09 per year.

 Ballots go out in the mail on May 27, 2021.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Vote YES for Kids Twice in the Election!

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Historically Colstrip votes yes for kids and has passed general fund school levies for more than three decades. The May 4, 2021 U.S. Mail Election Ballots went out in the mail on April 16, 2021.  THE  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 of the Clerk at 216 Olive Drive (next to FBMS Office), 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

○      Shall the board of trustees be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes to support the High School General Fund in the amount of One Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Thirteen and 50/100 DOLLARS ($188,313.50) per year which is approximately 2.82 mills, to meet the normal operational costs of the High School District General Fund for the 2021-2022 fiscal year? Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $2.82 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $7.61. The durational limit of the levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years.

●      Elementary General Fund Levy

○      Shall the board of trustees be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes to support the Elementary General Fund in the amount of Two Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Fifty - Three and 93/100 DOLLARS ($286,053.93) per year which is approximately 4.29 mills, to meet the normal operational costs of the Elementary District General Fund for the 2021-2022 fiscal year? Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $5.79 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $11.58. The durational limit of the levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years.

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.

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

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.

Vote "YES" for Kids on General Fund Levies

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Historically Colstrip votes yes for kids and has passed general fund school levies for more than three decades. The May 7, 2019 Absentee Election Ballots went out in the mail on April 17, 2019. Polls will be open on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 noon until 8:00 PM in the FBMS Auxiliary Gymnasium. 

Late registration can occur up to, and including the day of the election by showing up at the Rosebud County Court house by completing and submitting a voter registration card. The late registrant may then obtain a ballot on election day at the FBMS Auxiliary Gymnasium between noon and 8:00 PM on May 7, 2019.

There are two levies to be voted on.

• High School General Fund Levy
• Elementary General Fund Levy

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. 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.

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Transportation Transparency

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Planning for the future includes updating equipment that has reached its useful life expectancy as well as replacing equipment that no longer functions. The District experienced both of these equipment dilemmas this fall with the replacement of a 28 year old food service van and with a 47 year old coal dump truck.

While the 1990 Ford Food Service Van continued to require increased maintenance and lacked the functionality of space and capacity to compliment newer food service equipment, the 1972 Coal Dump Truck had complete engine failure and no longer worked. Both the van and dump truck needed to be replaced.

The District was able to find viable solutions for both situations: 1) a van that provides ample room and capacity to load and unload meal carts and other equipment utilized in transporting prepared meals from the high school to the elementary and middle school; 2) a running dump truck to haul coal in order to heat the high school with a capacity to haul more coal than the 1972 truck reducing multiple trips from the mine to the upper parking lot of the high school.

A used 2017 Dodge Van was purchased for Food Service. It has 4.5 years and 20,000 miles of drive train warranty and the District installed a 4' Tommy Lift Gate to compliment the newer food service equipment as well as the head room to allow food service personnel to stand while moving serving carts in and out of the vehicle (saving back stress and possible workman's compensation claims, not to mention multiple bumps on the top of heads).

A used 2000 Dump Truck was also purchased to replace the 1972 Chevy Dump Truck that lost it's engine at the end of the 2018 winter.  Until the purchase of the newer truck, the District would have had to hire a third party vendor to haul coal at a premium price. The 2000 Dump Truck provides the District a larger bed and capacity to haul almost twice the amount of coal as the 1972 truck. This saves significant time and money in hauling coal reducing multiple trips. The 2000 Dump truck also provides versatility as it can be used to transport snow build-up out of District parking lots as well as other other landscape needs.

These types of purchases are necessary and made possible through the community's support. As you can see in the photos our hardworking staff are more than appreciative. Thank you Colstrip for your continued support on levys, activities and academics. You make a difference in the education of Colstrip Students.

Vote FOR Colstrip Kids!

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The May 2, 2017 Absentee Election Ballots are going out in the mail tomorrow (April 12, 2017). There are 526 absentee ballots being mailed and with that number, we certainly want our voters to be well informed.

There are three items to be voted on:

• High School General Fund Levy
• Elementary General Fund Levy 
• Request to Sell the Isabel Bills Community Learning Center

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, equipments, 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. 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.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"