The Proposal
The proposal in brief
Voters will consider a $1.5 million building reserve levy, collected as approximately $150,000 per year for 10 years. The funds would support heating and ventilation upgrades, energy efficiency, school safety and security, and related professional and project costs.
Levy at a glance
| Election date | September 29, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Total authorization | $1,500,000 |
| Collection period | 10 years |
| Estimated annual collection | Approximately $150,000 |
| Estimated annual levy | Approximately 10.07 mills |
| Anticipated first revenue | Following the November 2027 property-tax collection |
Why the levy is being proposed
In summer 2025, Swan River School replaced nine heat pumps serving the newer portion of the building — the most urgent of the school’s aging mechanical systems. The $662,000 project was paid for with $161,613 in available building-reserve funds and a $500,000 low-interest INTERCAP loan from the Montana Board of Investments, deliberately limiting the project’s scope to control costs. That loan (current balance approximately $385,000) is being repaid from the district’s existing permissive building reserve levy at approximately $45,930 per year. The board’s plan was to complete the most critical work first and return to voters and grant programs to finish the remaining systems. The proposed levy is that next step.
The elementary wing is served by a separate mechanical system. Its electric forced-air furnaces date to 1998, and the furnaces and heat pumps in that portion of the school have not yet been replaced. If major equipment fails during cold weather, the district does not currently have an adequate building reserve to pay for replacement and maintain dependable heat without disruption.
The proposed levy would rebuild a dedicated source of facility funding so the district can plan critical replacements and maintenance instead of relying on emergency responses after a failure.
Protecting the community’s investment
Much of Swan River School has reached an age when deferred maintenance can lead to larger and more expensive problems. A mechanical failure can affect ventilation, electrical components, classroom use, interior finishes, and other connected building systems. Delaying necessary work may increase the eventual cost and make repairs more disruptive.
The Board of Trustees recognizes that the school is a public asset belonging to district taxpayers. The board’s responsibility is to maintain that asset carefully, prioritize essential work, and use taxpayer dollars responsibly. Planned maintenance and replacement provide better control over project timing and cost while reducing the risk of classroom disruption.