Bozeman School District levy could increase staff salaries by 3%

Bozeman School District has a new levy coming to the ballot box May 5. It is comprised of two parts: The elementary school district and the high school district.

If both pass, the levies will total $1.8 million per year, permanently.

The high school district portion is for $600,000 and the elementary is $1.2 million. If voters approve, teachers will get a 3% increase and a $125 cost-of-living payment per month. This would go into effect July 1.

If voters say no, teachers and staff would get a 2.4% increase and the district would have to re-negotiate salaries and the cost-of-living payment with the teachers union.

If the levies pass, the district estimates the cost in taxes per year will be $8.81 for a house with a taxable value of $600,000. Expiring high school bonds have lowered this cost from $24.79 per year.

This year, taxpayers will fully pay off bonds that were issued 20 years ago, saving Bozeman School District residents just short of $16 annually. This is the final year of payment for bonds issued in 2006 and the annual payment has also been $1.8 million.

These bonds were issued in 2006 when Big Sky was part of Bozeman’s school district, and taxpayers in Big Sky were helping to pay for these bonds. Big Sky has its own school district now, and Bozeman has a smaller tax base that pays more in taxes.

In total, the district’s net revenue change will be $0.

This new levy request will be a different revenue stream and is meant to address the high cost of living in Bozeman and make sure that teachers can afford to work and live here.

Mike Waterman, executive director of business and operations for the district, said the board is trying to “address the cost-of-living problem with (school district) employees” along with voters in the community.

Two trustee seats are open and three candidates are on the ballot: Incumbents Kevin Black and Greg Neil, and challenger Patrick Zimny. Trustees serve three-years terms.

Ballots will be mailed Friday, and they need to be received or delivered in person to the Gallatin County Elections Office by May 5 at 8 p.m.