Huntley Project School Board voted 5-0 this week to put a mill levy increase to the voters for approval on the upcoming election in May. It’s been 16 years since a successful Mill levy increase has been approved by the voters. In 2015, voters did not support a mill levy increase of $150,000 and also declined to support a mill levy increase of $75,000 in 2016. No mill levy increase has been requested from the school district since then. School Superintendent Mark Wandle indicated the last couple years that the school district has been mindful of the taxpayer’s money even during Covid times, but the school district has chosen to ask the taxpayers to support this upcoming permanent general fund mill levy request at Monday night’s monthly school board meeting.
The mill levy increase would be 13.28 mills which equals $149.352. School Superintendent Mark Wandle said he’s been “very understanding of the local taxpayers” and their current situation over the last couple years, especially during Covid, and so the school District chose not to pursue the increase at the time but feel it’s now appropriate to ask the taxpayers to support this needed increase. Wandle, said, “many of them are ranchers, small business owners and as well as many work in Billings to support their families” that reside within the school district boundaries and we “try to take all that into consideration.” The last time Huntley Project had a successful mill levy increase was in 2006.
Jason Webster, the high school band and choir teacher, submitted his letter of resignation that was accepted by the board on Monday. Mark Wandle sent a letter out to the public stating that “Jason has done a great job as a 7-12 music support person, helping with activities, and driving bus for us. We wish him well.” Webster’s resignation will be effective at the end of the school year.
The school district also submitted a second insurance claim for some damage that occurred at the school from an August 2019 storm. That damage from the storm was discovered while other repairs were being completed and had taken some time to confirm before being able to submit the claim.
The school board also voted 5-0 Monday night to submit a permissive mill levy increase that will help financially support the new school resource officer (SRO). Currently, the school is using money from their building reserve funds to help pay for the SRO that is on campus during the year. Huntley Project and Shepherd School Districts share and split the financial cost to have an SRO on duty during school hours and activities during the year. The permissive mill levy funds will shift funds to support the SRO on campus.
School administration and personnel will be visiting throughout the communities the next month to visit and hear from the community and members on the following schedule: March 31 at Huntley Senior Citizen Meal, April 1 at Worden Senior Citizen Meal, April 7- Worden at the HP campus commons area, April 11- Pompeys Pillar Fire Hall, April 13 – Huntley Fire Hall, April 18 at next board meeting in the school administration building.
