Trustees to decide on levy or not

By STEVE KADEL Western News Reporter

The Libby School Board will decide next week whether to place a tax levy on the May 3 election ballot.

Trustees will meet Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the administration building to discuss the issue. The meeting is open to the public.

The district last asked for a levy four years ago when $300,000 was sought and approved, Superintendent Kirby Maki said.

He reminded board members Tuesday during their monthly meeting that March 24 is the deadline to place items on the election ballot. Maki didn't encourage or discourage convening a special meeting to discuss a levy, saying he simply wanted the board to be aware of the deadline.

He said no staff layoffs are likely in 2005-2006, even though the exact amount of state funding won't be known for some time. Maki said he believes that, given the mix of legislation now pending and other factors, that Libby School District will get a bit more state money next year than it received this year, even with a projected enrollment decline.

"I think we're going to turn out OK," he said. "But we need money for programs and this is a way to get it. At least it's worth thinking about."

Building administrators were asked to prepare a list of programs or equipment that might be added if a levy were received. They'll share that information with the school board on Wednesday.

Board president Teri Kelly said a public information program would have to be put together quickly if a levy goes on the ballot.

"We have to do some public education on what we'd use the money for," she said.

Board member Chris Heinlein said the board hasn't noticed a big grassroots push by citizens to pass a levy, as was evident four years ago.

"We're just not seeing that," she said.

Libby High School principal Rik Rewerts noted that staff members at his school are spread about as thin as possible.

"We've cut over $1 million and 57 staff members in the last seven years," he said. "We had to. We've lost the students so we had to downsize."

Still, he said, further cuts would be hard to accept.

Maki noted that contract negotiations with teachers will begin soon. He said Libby has boosted its salary levels considerably since 2000 but still must compete for top talent against other districts in the state and region.

"We know that things aren't good (financially)," he said, but the district still may want to make salaries a priority.

"If we do that, it's going to cost dollars and cents," Maki said. "We've looked out for staff and we should do that again."