Libby school trustee candidates share views at forum

Candidates for Libby Public School trustee positions stated their respective cases for why voters should elect them Wednesday evening at a forum at the Maki Theater.

The forum was sponsored by the Libby Chamber of Commerce.

School trustee elections for three-year terms in south Lincoln County are being held Tuesday, May 6. Voters, in their respective districts, will also decide on two levies - one for technology improvement at Yaak School District No. 24 and one primarily for roof and parking lot maintenance at Libby Public Schools.

The estimated annual costs of the Libby school levy are $15.83 each year for a house with a market value of $100,000. For a house valued at $300,000, the estimated increase would be $47.48 annually. For a house valued at $600,000, the annual increase would be $94.95.

For school trustee elections, Libby has four candidates for two open seats. The candidates are Tony Rebo Sr., Walter Snyder, Cody Katzer, Sr. and Andrew “Bo” Alsup.

In Troy, the candidates are Erick Storkson, Lucy Orr and Cliff Bara, also for two seats.

But it was three of the four Libby candidates who were on stage Wednesday discussing the issues.

Alsup couldn’t make the forum because he was in Helena for work. Following the forum’s conclusion, his wife Stacie, said they would be at the Little League field this weekend if anyone had questions.

Libby Chamber of Commerce Treasurer Bruce Vincent ran the forum, asking questions prepared by chamber staff and those attending the event.

One query dealt with balancing school safety and mental health needs of students and educators.

“It’s so easy to be a bully on social media where people say things they wouldn’t dream of saying to someone’s face,” Snyder said. “But kids need to know there are boundaries and kids that need help should get help.”

Rebo, a school trustee member when Libby Public Schools had to consolidate nearly 15 years ago, said mental wellness is important for kids as well as teachers.

Katzer felt that handling students who are experiencing mental health issues needs to be done on a case by case basis.

“There is a need for consistent discipline, not a different set of standards,” Katzer said.

When Vincent asked the candidates about more trade school type of training in the public school, they were unanimous in their support.

“Libby lacks plumbers and electricians and these are good-paying jobs that people can work anywhere there is the need,” Rebo said.

Katzer, who is an electrician, said, “Absolutely I’m a big fan of trades, I’m an electrician.”

Snyder said adding more trade school training would be a benefit because, “these are things people actually use. Teaching basic handyman skills would be beneficial.”

When asked about the importance of offering athletic pursuits, the trio felt it was important, including other activities such as music, debate and robotics.

“You can take it further than athletics, music and other activities gives a kid a chance to be involved in something positive and they don’t have as much of a chance to be involved in something negative,” Rebo said.

Katzer said, “We need to do everything we can to keep extracurricular activities for the kids.”

Snyder said athletics are a huge component of school.

“It teaches kids how to be part of something, how to get along, to seek a common goal,” Snyder said.

For the Yaak School District’s technology levy, it is seeking a modest 5-year  levy because of a cut in its E-Rate discount.

“In the 14 years that I have served as your district clerk the school has not asked our voters to pass any additional levies to fund our school,” District Clerk Diane Downey wrote in a letter to residents. “Due to the change in our E-rate discount from 90% to just 60% and raising costs it has become necessary for us to ask our voters for approval of a Technology Levy.”

Downey said the annual levy of $9,282.19 for the next five years will pay for the increase in internet service, annual infrastructure and website support, a content filter annual license fee, annual software costs, laptop computer costs and classroom printers.

Downey pointed out that the levy would allow the school to replace 10 laptops, two per year, for the five-year levy.

The annual property tax increase, for a five-year period, would be $9.35 for a residence valued at $100,000, $18.69 for a $200,000 house, $28.04 for a $300,000 house and $56.08 for a $600,000 house.

For voters, their ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6. Here is a list of locations where ballots may be dropped off:

• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, 512 California Ave., Libby;
• Troy Police Office, 301 North Third St., Troy.

On Election Day, ballots may also be dropped off from noon to 8 p.m. at the Lincoln County Annex, Level B at 418 Mineral Ave., Libby.

Voter services will be available at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office in the county courthouse in Libby from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

For late voter registration, it can be done in person at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office in the courthouse until noon on Monday, May 5, or between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.