Ed. In The Red

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By Nicole Grigg

Story Published: May 3, 2010 at 7:27 PM MST

Story Updated: May 4, 2010 at 9:40 AM MST

BILLINGS - Ballots for three Billings school levies are due Tuesday night.

Richelle Selleck teaches her kindergarten class at Orchard Elementary School some of the earliest skills in life listening, writing and communication.

She has been teaching for 27-years and her passion for kids and education is hands on.

Selleck believes childrens' education is the foundation of the future. "They have to learn at an early age that you have to learn to read, you have to learn to communicate. Education is everything," said Selleck.

The two elementary levies on the ballot include a $1.8 million dollar general levy and a $1.4 million dollar technology levy. The estimated additional cost for the owner of a $200,000 dollar home would be less than $100 dollars a year.

Superintendent Jack Copps said without these levies the more than one million dollar deficit will directly impact students. "The victim is the child. If the child does not have the opportunity and the assistance necessary to be successful in school there is a price to be paid and it's a price that comes later," said Copps.

In Selleck's classroom, she fears oversized classrooms loom in the future. Something she's experienced first hand. "When I had that large classroom there were days when they left I sat down and I cried. I cried because I couldn't get to all of them. I cried because I was physically exhausted," said Selleck.

Copps said the ultimate result of chronic under funding is overcrowded classrooms, cluster schools and having to give up neighborhood schools.

Selleck said she needs her students just as much as they need her. "Being here with young children is therapeutic. Everyday is a great day," said Selleck.

The levies are now in the hands of voters as the district remains in the red. It's a teacher's embrace that proves priceless.

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anonymous 2 said on Tuesday, May 4 at 5:50 AM

Throwing money at something that is broken never works. I will vote no on this levy.

DPS said on Tuesday, May 4 at 5:48 AM

Something is rotten in Denmark or should I say KULR8. Your on line poll last week showed 2to1 against the levie and when last posted it showed 2to1 in favor. Are you trying to influence this election? SAY "NO" TO LEVIES!of any kind.

Alan said on Monday, May 3 at 2:39 PM

Common error. The levy is on the "taxable" value of the property. That is much less that the "appraised" valu of the property. If you're house is appraised at $200,000, your taxable value is roughly half that. Look it up at the Counties website to see what your tax impact will be.

Anonymous said on Monday, May 3 at 11:33 AM

Then the city wonders why we cant recruit any businesses and young families to stay here and help grow the economy. This is something that will hurt Billings future prospects if these levies are not passed

John said on Monday, May 3 at 11:10 AM

The schools just want only 15 kids a class and the teachers are starting to get lazer bythe day and they need to learn our to put 25 to 30 a class room

Trustee said on Monday, May 3 at 10:33 AM

The school district is NOT in the red. It is future budgets the school district is concerned about, not the current one. School districts aren't allowed to operate in the red. Get your facts straight.

Stephanie said on Monday, May 3 at 9:46 AM

Wow, this isn't at all biased.

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