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Whitefish Voters Pass Elementary School Levy; Board Positions Filled

Whitefish voters approved a levy request that will contribute $232,100 annually for day-to-day operations

By Dillon Tabish
Students read in the library at Elrod Elementary School. Beacon File Photo

Voters in Whitefish approved a general fund levy request for the Whitefish School District, while other voters across the valley elected new school board trustees.

In Whitefish, voters approved a levy request that will contribute $232,100 annually for day-to-day operations in the elementary district. There were 1,167 votes in favor and 825 opposed, according to the school district.

With the levy passage, local properties worth roughly $200,000 will see an annual tax increase of roughly $12.

Voters also elected three trustees to the school board for three-year terms: incumbent Heather Vrentas (1,216 votes), Katie Clarke (1,284), and incumbent Shannon Hanson (1,092). Cate Catina was the fourth candidate and received 907 votes.

There were 2,006 ballots cast among 11,195 registered voters for a turnout of 17.9 percent.

The Whitefish school board is about to decide whether to ask voters to approve a bond that would build a new Muldown Elementary School. A committee of staff, planners and residents is recommending that Whitefish build a new elementary school while repurposing a portion of the existing Muldown Elementary for future education programs. The school board is slated to review the recommendation at its May 9 meeting.

In Kalispell, incumbent Bette Albright (2,626) and Diane Morton Stout (1,959) were elected to three-year terms on the school board in the elementary district. Candidates Rebecca Linden (1,228) and Scott Plotkin (1,190) fell short in their bids.

The district receives 3,684 ballots among 17,008 registered voters for a turnout of 21.66 percent.

Kalispell’s school district did not float a levy request.

In Columbia Falls, incumbent Dean Chisholm (1,059) and Keri Hill (949) and incumbent Barb Riley (943) were elected to three-year terms on the school board. A fourth candidate, David Shaffer, received 787 votes.

In Bigfork, incumbents Dana Whitney (686) and Paul Sandry (668) were re-elected to three-year terms on the school board. Candidates Monarae Tuhy (228) and Marie Duncan-Wagers (151) fell short in their bids.

Bigfork did not float a levy request.