VOTE “YES” FOR KIDS in 2023!

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

School board election ballots are landing in your mailboxes and the District is asking you to support our students here in Colstrip. Please vote “YES” for our kids in 2023!  The May 2, 2023 U.S. Mail Election Ballots went out in the mail on April 14, 2023.  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 Colstrip High School Lower Entrance  5000 Pine Butte Dr, Colstrip, MT. Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Location on Election Day: Central Administration Office at Colstrip High School Lower Entrance  5000 Pine Butte Dr, Colstrip, MT. Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

 

When you review your ballot for the May election, please remember: Your “yes” vote will provide the school with budget authority with little cost to the taxpayer. 

 

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 $111,424.82 which is approximately 2.24 mills to meet the normal operational costs of the High School District General Fund for the 2023-2024 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 $3.02 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $6.05.

 

●      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 $316,271.01 which is approximately 6.37 mills to meet the normal operational costs of the Elementary District General Fund for the 2023-2024 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 $8.60 and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $17.20.

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. These Levy Funds are crucial for maintaining salaries, equipment, curriculum, activities and the operational expenses of this district. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the Superintendent for more information.

 

A vote for the Levy Funds at the High School and Elementary District is definitely a vote for the children in which we serve. 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.

Teachers are not only Essential, but Vital to our Community

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

The past two-and-one-half years have been very difficult for the educational community. COVID and the wave of consequences that it has brought, as well as the aftermath of damage it has left makes an already difficult job for educators, next to impossible. Making lemonade out of lemons is a daily process. Educators have been in the mist of this battle; in fact, teachers and staff members are on the font-lines of COVID in our society. They come to school and opened minds and touch hearts despite the levels of risk that they incur.

This week is so important as it is Teacher Appreciation Week! As trite as it sounds, most educators don't get into this profession to make money, they are in it to make a difference. In cleaning up after COVID, they are working to bring our communities back together. Their classrooms are filled with numerous losses, mental health challenges, in addition to learning gaps that were created by the pandemic. Teachers are a part of so many different lives. They are MAKING DUST AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE! 

We need to recognize that teachers can provide the pathway back to normal. Our country needs public education and the people that serve our families more than ever. Teachers need support and we need more of them. Please take the time to let them know that they have your support. Take time to let them know that you appreciate the work they are doing. When you VOTE, keep teachers in mind. The payment that comes from appreciation does more for our youth than we know.  

I know we all appreciate the road that our teachers have been down serving our community during this pandemic. Let them know it. Go out of the way to give them a call, text, email or thank them personally. It is in giving that we receive.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

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 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!"