Heart of the Flathead
Welcome to the Heart of the Flathead, where we sit down with the change-makers, the unsung heroes, and the everyday folks who give this place its pulse. If you live here, love here, or just want to know what makes Kalispell and the Valley tick—you’re in the right place.
Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.
Heart of the Flathead
17. School Levies: Funding Gaps, Voter Fatigue, and What Works
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
A community can deeply value its schools and still face constant funding shortfalls—that tension drives this conversation with Jinn Merriman, attorney at McGarvey Law and trustee for Kalispell Public Schools. Jinn breaks down how Montana’s public school funding system works, where the state covers about 80% of costs and local communities must approve levies to fund the remaining gap. We unpack what that means for taxpayers, why these votes are often misunderstood, and how funding decisions actually reach the ballot.
The conversation centers on One Brave Pack, a community-led effort to educate voters after the district itself is restricted from advocacy. Jen shares how Kalispell passed its first high school levy in 18 years, what shifted in messaging, and why students and local businesses played a critical role. We also zoom out to the bigger issue: a system that forces repeated elections that don’t keep up with inflation, creating voter fatigue and instability. Along the way, we highlight innovative programs within Kalispell schools that connect students to real-world career pathways.
If this helped you understand how school levies work, share it with a neighbor, subscribe for more conversations from the Flathead Valley, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Heart of the Flathead is brought to you by:
Heart of the Flathead, is produced by David Wigginton, in partnership with LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing. Listeners can find the podcast online at HeartoftheFlathead.com and LeftBrainRightBrain Marketing at lbrbm.com. The content for Heart of the Flathead podcasts and any show notes and transcripts are copyrighted by David Wigginton. All rights are reserved. Reproduction and rebroadcasting, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission. Contact David Wigginton by clicking the Send Us a Text link at the top of the episode description.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or production team. Appearance on the show does not constitute an endorsement of any goods, services, or opinions discussed. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on the content of this show.
No transcript available for this episode.