Libby Public Schools seek mill levy for maintenance costs
Apr. 11—Rising maintenance and insurance costs have led Libby Public School to seek a mill levy in the upcoming May 6 school election.
School Superintendent Ron Goodman said the levy would be permanent and generate $250,000 annually.
The money would primarily be used for roof replacement or repairs as well as parking lot maintenance at the high school.
"Roofing is one of our major facilities maintenance expenses," Goodman told The Western News during an interview Wednesday morning. "Libby Schools has nearly six acres of roofs. Replacing one pod at Libby Elementary will cost roughly $400,000. Before Covid the cost of a new roof was $200,000."
The estimated annual costs of the levy are $15.83 each year for a house with a market value of $100,000. For a house valued at $300,000, the estimated increase would be $47.48 annually.
For a house valued at $600,000, the annual increase would be $94.95.
Goodman said he is sympathetic to what taxpayers are going through with rising property tax rates at the state level.
"I get it, it's a hardship, but we're working to stay ahead of doing complete roof replacements and we're also working to get away from using diesel-powered boilers to heat the middle high school," he said. "This summer, we'll be doing a roof fix with a new layer on the Middle High School. We're also doing a roof refurbishment on the Brown Pod at the Elementary School."
According to reporting in other media outlets, the Montana Legislature is considering ways to lower property taxes, but nothing is certain at this point.
Another bill in the state House of Representatives seeks to help school districts with rising maintenance costs.
According to reporting in the Montana Free Press (https://montanafreepress.org/2025/04/07/lawmakers-advance-bill-to-enhance-state-support-for-school-infrastructure/), House Bill 515 seeks a one-time transfer of $75 million from the General Fund surplus to a special school facilities trust in order to elevate annual interest earnings.
The money earned for the facilities trust would create an annual payment for major maintenance needs, capped at $40,000.
The bill received large support in the House last week and reached the Senate on April 5. It was referred to the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on April 7.
"HB 515 would be great if it passes and that would help," Goodman said. "But the mill levy would provide a longstanding solution."
Goodman said roof repairs are highly preferred because of the cost savings.
"If we get them fixed before they get too bad, the cost is about 45% less than replacing an entire roof," he said.
The district is doing a roof project at the Middle High School this summer. A new layer of synthetic rubber roofing membrane is being added to the existing roof. The rubber roofing is preferred on low slope or flat roofs because of durability, weather resistance and lifespan.
He also explained the school district's efforts to move away from diesel-powered heat systems.
"We spend $800 per week to heat the gym because of the cost of diesel fuel," Goodman said. "It's why we went to heat pumps at the elementary school. That is saving us $20,000 per year in electricity costs."
Goodman said the school has chip-sealed areas of the parking lot at the Middle High School to keep things going.
"Parking lot maintenance would be done in phases due to the costs, but it's something that needs attention pretty quickly," Goodman said.
Rising insurance costs have also negatively impacted the school district. Goodman said the district's insurance premiums increased by $106,000 from 2021 to 2025.
Goodman said for those that have questions about the levy, they can call him at 293-8877.
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