Vote yes on levies to increase Bigfork teacher salaries

We appreciate the Bigfork School District Board’s effort to support our local education. As a quick reminder, bonds are for buildings and levies are for learning. Local dollars support our local students where the state funding falls short resulting in cuts to our programs and our students’ futures.

Major attention has been centered on national events, but the results of this levy have an effect closer to home. While COVID-19 has disrupted our lives, the school district employees have worked very hard to provide some normalcy. Our support and commitment to our students and community has come in many different forms. As it is not our choice to have to be in these circumstances, our passion for education drives us forward to help students prepare for their future.

Bigfork has not been immune to the teacher shortage seen throughout the country. In some curriculum areas we have had very few and in a few instances, zero applicants for job postings. We have had applicants withdraw at the last minute to go to higher paying districts in the valley. Education continuity and a focus on student learning happens when qualified teachers are retained. Having a competitive salary matrix during teacher shortages helps to attract and retain qualified candidates.

Please consider your impact to our student’s education when voting for the levy or levies. We humbly ask for your support to our life’s work in bringing a quality education to our students.

— Sincerely, Rhonda White