The Great Falls Public Schools board will discuss whether to pursue levies this spring during a March 25 meeting.

The board budget committee met during several public meetings in March to discuss the district budget, revenues and expenses.

The budget committee met March 19 and decided to recommend against running an operational or any other levy this spring.

The full board will consider the committee’s recommendation during their March 25 meeting.

GFPS preparing budget for next school year

The district is facing a $2,665,290 shortfall, according to Brian Patrick, GFPS’ business operations manager.

The shortfall will be made up with reserves and making reductions where possible, Patrick said.

The board budget committee includes Bill Bronson, Mark Finnicum and Paige Turoski.

The committee and GFPS officials held a community meeting on March 5 to present the proposed budget, projected revenues and expenses.

GFPS sets calendar for 2025-2026 school year

After hearing administrative options and public comment, the committee decided during its March 19 meeting to forgo asking for any additional support this year via a levy, according to GFPS.

By law, the board must pass a resolution with exact levy amounts not less than 30 days before the election for the clerk to certify the ballot. The resolution must include the durational limit, if any, on the levy.

If the board were to pursue a levy, it would go to the May 7 ballot, in conjunction with the annual school board election.

If the full board follows the committee’s recommendation to forgo a levy, the school board election will be the only GFPS item on the ballot.

GFPS elementary libraries getting remodel through donations

There’s one seat up for election this year.

The seat is currently held by Marlee Sunchild, who has filed for reelection.

Rodney Meyers and Tony Rosales have also filed to run for the seat.

Filing closes March 28.

If only the board election is on the ballot, the estimated election cost to the district is $46,000, according to GFPS.

County, GFPS discuss May election

Patrick told The Electric that Terry Thompson, the county election administrator, indicated the mail ballot had been approved for the GFPS election.

The GFPS board voted Jan. 8 to request a mail ballot election but Cascade County officials had multiple meetings discussing how the election should be conducted, causing confusion for GFPS officials, who signed a contract with the county clerk and recorder’s office in May 2023 to conduct the election.

Patrick said he’s had “great communication” with Thompson and that, “I appreciate her efforts to communicate with the district as we move forward with the election process.”