Frequently Asked Questions
Didn’t the school recently replace its heat pumps?
Yes. The summer 2025 project replaced nine heat pumps in the newer portion of the school. It did not replace the separate furnaces and heat pumps serving the elementary wing. The elementary wing’s electric forced-air furnaces date to 1998.
Why not wait until the remaining equipment fails?
The district’s available building reserve was used for the $662,000 project completed in 2025, with the balance financed through a low-interest state loan. During that project, another portion of the heating system failed and had to be added to the work on an emergency basis. Waiting for another major failure could result in loss of dependable heat, emergency pricing, limited contractor or equipment availability, disrupted classes, or temporary closure of affected areas.
Would the district receive the entire $1.5 million at once?
No. The proposition would raise approximately $150,000 annually over 10 years. If approved, the first levy revenue is anticipated following the November 2027 property-tax collection.
The levy collects about $150,000 per year. How would the district complete larger projects?
The levy establishes a fixed, voter-approved funding stream. To complete time-critical replacements before a failure forces emergency repairs, the district may use the State of Montana’s INTERCAP program — a low-interest loan program of the Montana Board of Investments — repaid from annual levy collections, which state law allows only for the projects voters authorize. This would not change what taxpayers pay: the levy remains approximately $150,000 per year for 10 years either way. It changes only when the work happens, replacing emergency pricing with planned, competitively bid projects — without long-term bonded debt.
Didn’t the district’s school taxes just go down?
Yes. Under a 2025 state law (House Bill 156), most non-voted school levies are now collected countywide rather than district-by-district, spreading those costs across all of Flathead County. Swan River’s district levies fell from 38.88 mills in 2025–26 to 5.91 mills in 2026–27. If this levy is approved, total district levies of approximately 16 mills would remain well below last year’s level. Countywide school levies appear separately on tax bills.
Can the money be used for general school operations?
No. The proposition establishes a building reserve subfund restricted to the facility, mechanical, safety, security, and related project purposes stated on the ballot. It is not a general operating levy.
How does this compare with the gymnasium bond?
For 20 years, district property owners paid debt service on the 2005 gymnasium bond, which the district paid off in July 2025. In its final year, the bond levied $88,906 district-wide; this levy would collect approximately $150,000 per year. For a typical primary residence, however, this levy costs less than the bond did: under the tax rates then in effect, a $300,000 home paid approximately $34 per year for the bond, compared with an estimated $22.96 per year for this levy. The difference reflects 2026 state property-tax changes that shifted more of the tax base to second homes and short-term rentals; exact comparisons vary by property.