The Results Are In: Your Schools Get Funded

Missoula voters narrowly approved two school levies this week, ensuring continued funding for Missoula County Public Schools while similar measures failed in neighboring Lolo and Frenchtown.

The Vote Breakdown

With more than 30,000 ballots cast, the high school levy passed by the slimmest of margins:

Missoula High School General Fund Levy: 15,279 FOR | 14,439 AGAINST (just 840 votes)

Missoula Elementary General Fund Levy: 11,228 FOR | 7,911 AGAINST

What This Money Funds

According to MCPS, the levies will fund staff salaries, school operations, and secure existing programs. The district emphasized in their statement: When educators invest in the whole child it benefits the entire community because today's graduates are tomorrow's business owners, leaders, and volunteers who will grow our towns and cities.

The Tax Impact on Your Wallet

Your property taxes will see a modest increase to fund these levies. The exact amount depends on your property value, but expect to see it reflected in your next tax bill. For a typical Missoula home, this generally translates to an additional monthly cost comparable to a couple of coffee runs.

The Regional Divide

While Missoula narrowly passed its levies, neighboring districts weren't as fortunate:

Frenchtown School District: 959 FOR | 1,353 AGAINST — FAILED

Lolo School District: 555 FOR | 1,120 AGAINST — FAILED

The contrast highlights how different communities prioritize education funding — and the razor-thin margins by which these decisions are often made.