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Dear Editor,

This letter is for Valley County taxpayers. I have been associated with Glasgow School District # 1 as a student, parent, foster parent and guardian for almost 60 years. Just think of how things have changed.

Years ago we were going to school in shifts, playing our basketball games at the Civic Center, and our football games at the fairgrounds and now have some of the finest facilities in Montana.

These improvements did not come free. You, the taxpayers, have continuously supported our schools with the approval of bonds and mills to finance the necessary infrastructure improvements in the district.

Now I feel the time has come to compensate the remarkable staff that has been the source of the quality education that my siblings, children, and I have received which is second to none. Montana law requires school districts to bring general fund expenditures, above a certain amount, before the taxpayers for your approval. The Glasgow School district is asking for permission to levy 7.74 mills to raise around $125,000 to allow a cost of living raise to district employees that have had none for the last several years. There are approximately 100 district employees that would be impacted by the approval of this general fund increase which would allow a minimal cost of living increase.

To taxpayers in the City of Glasgow and St Marie this would mean a less than 1 percent increase in your tax bill and to rural taxpayers in the district it would be less than 1.4 percent increase with the same valuation of your property that was used last year.

We all know that things have not gotten any less expensive during the last few years and these professionals have continued to provide the students in school district #1 the opportunity for an excellent education. It is imperative that we continue to have the highly qualified educators that we have had for years and if this helps us retain these valuable assets, I don't feel this request is out of line at all.

Please vote FOR the 7.74 mill increase to the general fund in this election coming up.

Sincerely,

Myron Malnaa

Glasgow, Mont.