The Helena School District Board of Trustees has requested approval of five safety, technology,
and general fund levies. Lewis and Clark County has scheduled this election for Tuesday May 7,
and that is the day votes will be counted. This is an all-mail ballot election, and ballots will be
mailed to voters on Monday April 22, 2024. Here are the levies requested:

• Elementary tech levy worth $1,550,000 per year for 10 years or $13.32 annually for a
  $100,000 home.
• The high school tech levy is worth $800,000 per year for 10 years or $6.29 annually for a
  $100,000 home.
• The elementary safety and security levy is worth $7.2 million or $61.90 annually for a
  $100,000 home.
• The high school safety and security levy will cost $3.4 million or $26.76 annually for a
  $100,000 home.
• The elementary general fund levy will cost $242,000 or $2.08 annually for a $100,000
  home.
  Together, these levies will keep our kids safe from threats to their physical and mental health
  by installing security cameras, updating door locks, and covering the cost of school counselors
  and nurses, among other essential services. These levies will secure students’ access to 21st
  century learning tools by updating and replacing laptops and tablets for more than 6,000 students
  across the district and ensuring our district has the technology support staff to help students and
  teachers avoid cyber security threats and handle all technology troubleshooting.
  Importantly, these levies will also help Helena schools continue to recruit and retain the best
  educators in the state. Like hundreds of public schools across Montana, Helena schools currently
  have inadequate revenue to maintain the educational opportunities our community expects. If
  passed, these levies will help our schools maintain existing services in the near future. If they
  fail, then potential cuts include the elimination of music and P.E. teachers, the reduction of
  nurses and counselors, and other outcomes that would negatively impact kids.