‘Really minimal’ property tax increase would fund teacher housing efforts
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The Big Sky School District is pursuing a general fund levy to raise additional funds for teacher housing initiatives.
Set to be featured on ballots for the upcoming May election, the permanent levy is contingent on House Bill 252, the proposed Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success, or STARS Act. If the bill passes, school districts will be able to increase general fund collections—BSSD Superintendent Dr. Dustin Shipman said educators across the state are confident it will reach Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk.
“It’s probably the most supported alteration to school funding… that we’ve seen in a decade and a half,” Shipman told EBS in a phone call. If HB 252 fails, but local voters approve the housing levy in May, BSSD will not be legally allowed to collect the funds.
Locally, the permanent housing levy would enable the school district to increase its general fund by $300,000, and those dollars would be permanently restricted to housing-related initiatives such as structures, rent assistance, stipends and purchase assistance.
The district would use funds immediately to complete phase two of its on-campus housing plan: six new cabins in addition to the pair of triplex units built in 2021, in which all 12 bedrooms have been occupied since completion of phase one.
“As we see positions that we need to start filling, the housing is going to be key for us moving forward,” Shipman said.
The proposed levy would have the following impact to taxpayers: for a $500,000 home, taxes increase by $1.55 per month, or $18.70 per year; for a $1 million home, taxes increase by $3.11 per month, or $37.40 per year; and for a $3 million home, taxes increase by $9.35 per month, or $112 per year.
Shipman explained that the small increase in property taxes will translate to a better educational experience for students.
“It’s always a challenge for the trustees to make the decision to increase taxes,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s really minimal. And the housing, and housing stressors—housing stressors cause stress for the people that we depend on to execute the mission of the school… Anything the voters can do to help that, we appreciate that as a district.”
The school district hosted its first “listening session” to hear community feedback and provide information on Thursday, March 20. Another is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
Shipman will also participate in the “Ballots and Brews with Explore Big Sky” voter education event on Tuesday, April 1 at The Waypoint from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
