Story perspectives

Montana Schools Push Voter Approval for Crucial Funding

2/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Montana schools seek voter approval for discretionary funding levies to cover operating expenses not fully funded by the state.
Passage rates have fallen from over 90% to roughly half of recent proposals.
The decline began during the Great Recession (2007–2009) and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), according to Lance Melton, executive director of the Montana School Boards Association.
The Montana school funding commission is considering legislative changes, and inflation and budget pressures heighten the need for these levies.

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Story summary

Montana schools seek voter approval for discretionary funding levies to cover operating expenses not fully funded by the state.
Passage rates have fallen from over 90% to roughly half of recent proposals.
The decline began during the Great Recession (2007–2009) and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), according to Lance Melton, executive director of the Montana School Boards Association.
The Montana school funding commission is considering legislative changes, and inflation and budget pressures heighten the need for these levies.