Elementary General Fund Operations Levy

A perfect storm of factors is causing the budget shortfall faced by Montana school districts: Rising utility and maintenance costs, fast-changing security and technology needs, soaring healthcare and insurance rates, and inflation that makes virtually everything we do more expensive.

Montana law limits annual inflationary increases in state K‑12 funding to a maximum of 3%. When inflation rises faster than that—as it has in recent years—state funding does not fully cover rising costs. Because of this cap, along with how Montana’s school funding formula is structured, state support has fallen behind actual expenses, leaving school districts to make up the difference through local levies, cuts, or other measures.

Helena Public Schools saw the fiscal cliff coming beginning in 2017 and adjusted accordingly. Our district began preparing for the budget shortfall through larger class sizes, non-renewal of some teacher contracts, closing of an elementary school, leasing of district facilities, and other revenue generation and cost reduction measures.

However, the district’s current level of staffing and student programming is at risk of major changes without the passage of the proposed levies on the May 5, 2026 ballot:

• Elementary General Fund Operations Levy
• Operations, Infrastructure, and Licensing Technology Levies (high school and elementary)

The Elementary General Fund Operations Levy funds will be dedicated to student and staffing needs; primarily supporting curriculum programs, classroom supplies, and the retention and recruitment of teachers and staff. Ultimately, this local investment ensures we can maintain the standard of academic-excellence that we, and the Helena Community expects for its students as Helena Public Schools and our fellow AA districts seek funding solutions at the state level.