Sign up for the free Helena This Week newsletter and stay in the loop on Helena city government, public school meetings, business news and upcoming entertainment and events. Sign up 3/31/2025“Helena This Week” is reported and written By JoVonne Wagner. Send your Helena news and tips to jwagner@montanafreepress.org.District will ask taxpayers to approve tech, general fund leviesHelena Public School officials last week finalized the amounts of three district-wide levies that will go before voters in a spring election. During a work session, the Helena School Board of Trustees approved the ballot language for high school and elementary technology levies and an elementary general fund levy. The district is requesting an annual $870,500 technology levy for the high schools and an annual $1,979,500 for the elementary and middle schools. In addition to the technology funding, school officials also approved seeking a permanent elementary operational levy of $293,681.  If passed, the elementary operational levy would go directly into the school’s general fund, which primarily pays for staff salaries and benefits. The technology levies would fund the purchasing and maintenance of school tech equipment and services such as computers, internet access and security. Voters last approved the district’s perpetual technology levy in 2004, but if approved this spring, the new amounts would be taxed annually for 10 years.If both the high school and elementary technology requests pass, property owners with homes valued at $300,000 would pay an annual tax increase of $63.70. Homes valued at $600,000 would have a tax increase of $127.42 per year. The elementary operational levy annual tax increase for homes valued at $300,000 would be $7.57, while homes valued at $600,000 would see a $15.15 tax increase. The school election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6.Public Notice Helena Public Schools will hold a public hearing regarding the future of Hawthorne Elementary on Wednesday, April 9, at the Lincoln Center, 1325 Poplar St., beginning at 5:30 p.m. Information about plans for the elementary and facility recommendations will be posted on the school’s website 48 hours before the hearing. On The Record During a school board meeting last week, Assistant Superintendent Josh McKay presented tentative plans to change the school boundaries within the district to help create a more balanced enrollment in the middle and high schools.“[The] reason to make the shift is to ensure the equal student educational opportunities remain an option at each high school and middle school,” McKay said. “If we don’t make the change, students on one side of town will have more class opportunities than the other side of town.”According to the district’s fall enrollment totals, Capital High School’s student enrollment is 1,307, while Helena High’s enrollment is 986. If the school officials agree and move forward with implementing boundary adjustments, Helena High could see an increase of about 140 students.  The board trustees did not schedule a public hearing for the proposed boundary changes but plan to continue the discussion at future school board meetings. 5 Things to Know in Helena Prescribed burns: Last week, the U.S. Forest Service conducted several prescribed burns throughout the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest to reduce vegetation overgrowth and prevent wildfires. As of last Thursday, about 1,360 acres were burned in the Elk Smith, Cabin Gulch and American Bar areas, according to Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Chiara Cipriano. Residents can visit the Air Now government website to check local air quality.   Trail hours of operation: Last week, the city commission approved 10 major projects under the City Open Lands Division to improve area trail systems. One change includes implementing a nighttime closure from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at five trailhead parking lots. The locations are Beattie, Dump Gulch, Old Shooting Range, Reader’s Village and the South Hills Disc Golf Course. City staff said in previous meetings that the change was needed after reports of trailhead damage and vandalism. The estimated budget for the change is about $2,000, which would be spent on new signs. Potential Civic Center fee increase: City Parks, Recreation and Open Lands Director Doug Smith recommended fee increases to the city commission for the Helena Civic Center in a meeting last Monday. The proposed fee increases, associated with the center’s room, auditorium and equipment rentals, range from 50 cents to $250, which would boost revenue by about $57,200. The money from fees would help the center’s operational costs and offset spending from the city’s general fund, according to city documents. The city will hold a public hearing on the increases on Monday, April 7. New fire and police staff: The city commission confirmed three new emergency services personnel during a meeting last Monday. The Helena Police Department added two new officers, Toby Erickson and Brendan Colburn, after they completed their one-year probation. The commission also confirmed Jason Wendzel as the Helena Fire Department’s new assistant chief.Measles preparedness: Lewis and Clark Public Health officials are urging residents to prepare for measles as staff monitors outbreaks throughout the country, according to a press release last week. The county public health department has created a measles outbreak information web page with a fact sheet for residents to reference about health concerns and disease symptoms. While Montana hasn’t seen a measles case since 1990, more than 370 cases have been reported across 18 states so far, according to the release.  “Rest assured, we know what this disease is, and most importantly, how to prevent it with safe and effective vaccines,” Public Health Nurse Supervisor Shelly Maag said in the release. “The time for action is now. Together, we can protect ourselves, our families and our neighbors.”Might Be Fun 2025 Ridge Challenge: Blackfoot River Brewing Company is hosting its annual Helena Ridge Challenge. Participants must either hike, bike or run across five of Helena’s trail systems within 24 hours to complete the challenge. Those who complete the challenge will be able to purchase merchandise with all proceeds going toward maintaining Helena trails. Visit the brewing company’s website for more information. “The Fire Problem”: The Eastern Montana Chapter of the Montana Society of American Foresters will hold a film screening of the documentary “The Fire Problem,” which discusses the causes and solutions for wildfires, on Wednesday, April 2. The screening will be held at the Helena Middle School auditorium, 1025 N. Rodney St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a panel discussion to follow. Queen City ViewsA hilltop view of downtown Helena shows both the City-County Building and St. Helena Cathedral during the twilight hour on Wednesday, March 26. Credit: JoVonne Wagner IN CASE YOU MISSED IT One person dead after brandishing a gun at Lewis and Clark County Courthouse Authorities said the woman threatened county employees and a judge before being shot. by JoVonne Wagner The post Helena school officials set levy amounts for spring ballot appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less