Election News
Willow Creek School District Levy Request (2026–2027)
The Willow Creek School District is requesting voter approval of an Elementary General Fund Levy in the amount of $8,287.92 for the 2026–2027 school year.
This levy will help support teacher salary increases. During the 2025–2026 school year, the district adopted the STARS Act to improve teacher compensation, making salaries more competitive and helping retain high-quality educators. As a result, teacher salaries increased by over 20%. The state provides an additional Quality Education Payment to districts participating in the STARS Act.
If approved, the levy is expected to increase property taxes as follows:
• Approximately $3.06 per year for a home with a market value of $100,000
• Approximately $9.17 per year for a home with a market value of $300,000
• Approximately $19.58 per year for a home with a market value of $600,000
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The School Board has chosen not to increase taxes for the permissive levies in the elementary and high school Bus Depreciation and Building Reserve Funds.
We appreciate the continued support of the Willow Creek community and its commitment to our schools.
The School Election Ballots were mailed last week from the County Elections Office. Please do not forget to put your birth year and signature when returning the ballot.
Willow Creek School District Levy Request (2026–2027)
The Willow Creek School District is requesting approval of an Elementary General Fund Levy of $8,287.92 for the 2026–2027 school year.
• Supports teacher salary increases through the STARS Act
• Helps keep salaries competitive and retain quality teachers
• State provides additional funding for participation
Estimated annual tax impact:
• $100,000 home: +$3.06
• $300,000 home: +$9.17
• $600,000 home: +$19.58
The School Board did not increase taxes for Bus Depreciation or Building Reserve funds.
Thank you for supporting Willow Creek Schools!
Willow Creek School District Levy Request (2026–2027)
The Willow Creek School District is requesting approval of an Elementary General Fund Levy of $8,287.92 for the 2026–2027 school year.
• Supports teacher salary increases through the STARS Act
• Helps keep salaries competitive and retain quality teachers
• State provides additional funding for participation
Estimated annual tax impact:
• $100,000 home: +$3.06
• $300,000 home: +$9.17
• $600,000 home: +$19.58
The School Board did not increase taxes for Bus Depreciation or Building Reserve funds.
Thank you for supporting Willow Creek Schools!
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AND WE ARE OFF!!!! Look out Helena. Willow Creek School is headed to town 🥰
Remember that tomorrow is the All-School Field Trip to Helena. We will leave at 8:00 a.m. sharp! Please be sure that your child is to school on time, there will be no staff at the school once the bus leaves.
Please plan on bringing water bottles and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. The school will provide pizza for lunch. If your child does not like pizza, please pack a lunch.
We will get back at approximately 4:45 p.m., and we will do a drop off at the TF Airport before coming back to Willow Creek.
All staff is going on this trip, and will have cell phone if you need to reach a staff member.
Please plan on bringing water bottles and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. The school will provide pizza for lunch. If your child does not like pizza, please pack a lunch.
We will get back at approximately 4:45 p.m., and we will do a drop off at the TF Airport before coming back to Willow Creek.
All staff is going on this trip, and will have cell phone if you need to reach a staff member.
Swing by the Bingo booth at the Willow Creek Carnival on Thursday, March 26, to play for a prize from the following generous sponsors:
Three Forks Saddlery
Busy Bee Cafe
The Shoppe
Three Forks Market
Ace Hardware—Steve & Christine Bachmeier
Be Lazy Quilting
Tessy Lou Williams
Missouri River Custom Framing—Shawn & Amber Hungerford and Karen Phisher
Three Forks Auto
R and D Barbershop
Bonnie Lower (Mary Kay)
Three Forks Floral
Woolzie’s Willow Creek Cafe
Sawdust and Steel
Roots Hair Studio
Melissa Jenkins and Three Forks Voice
Legacy Trading
The Sacajawea Hotel
Western Pines
Rachel Smith
Sandra Schmitt
Chrystal Duvall
Sherri Lower
Our school carnival is next week! March 26th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Our Junior High and Sophomore classes are looking for pie and cake donations!
If you would like to donate, please drop off cakes and pies on Wednesday 3/25 or Thursday 3/26.
Our Junior High and Sophomore classes are looking for pie and cake donations!
If you would like to donate, please drop off cakes and pies on Wednesday 3/25 or Thursday 3/26.
Parents of students interested in any sports in grades 4-12 please attend a meeting Monday, 3/9 @ 6:30 PM in the cafeteria. In put from everyone for our ongoing programs is appreciated.
Parents of grades K-8 please join us for a quick meeting at 7:30 AM this Thursday 2/19 to hear information about our school wide Title 1 and ask questions about the program. We will have coffee cake and juice/coffee.
Round 2 of Mast testing for grades 3-8 is ongoing this week. Please make sure your student is getting plenty of rest and having breakfast 🤗
We will be starting the 2nd round of MAST testing this week for grades 3-8. Please encourage your student to get plenty of sleep and have a good breakfast before starting their day. Thank you 😊
Willow Creek elementary/JH girls basketball 🏀 Home Game tomorrow 2/10 at 4:00 Vs Sheridan. Concessions are available, no charge for admission!
We are looking for another ref! If you would be interested in helping out it would be greatly appreciated! Please contact the school 285-6991 or 285-3969. Thank you!
Home games! February 2nd and 10th for our elementary/junior high girls' basketball 🏀 team. Tip off at 4:00! OFT will have concessions - no charge at the door.
If you would be willing to help out by reffing please contact the school 406-285-6991 or 406-285-3969 (call or text)
🎉 Go Broncs 🎉
Our circulating pump for moving the water in the heat system needs a new seal! We have it ordered but it won't be here until Monday! NO SCHOOL on MONDAY 1/19/2026.
At the December 9th School Board Meeting the board Called for an Election by Mail Ballot. The Election will be May 5th, 2026.
This is a regular school election being held to vote for one (1) school trustee for a three (3) year term and to vote for the elementary and high school general fund levies if necessary. The board approved allowing School Election Administrator, Sherri Lower to cancel any or all of the election if not needed.
Incumbent Chelsey Petz has returned her Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy to run again. Anyone interested in running for the trustee position may pick up the required paperwork from the school. The last day to file is Monday, February 9th, 2026.
This is a regular school election being held to vote for one (1) school trustee for a three (3) year term and to vote for the elementary and high school general fund levies if necessary. The board approved allowing School Election Administrator, Sherri Lower to cancel any or all of the election if not needed.
Incumbent Chelsey Petz has returned her Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy to run again. Anyone interested in running for the trustee position may pick up the required paperwork from the school. The last day to file is Monday, February 9th, 2026.
Our Spelling Bee for grades 5-8 will be held this coming Wednesday, January 14th @ 8:15 a.m., in the gym. Family and friends are welcome to attend!
Reminder!! Tonight is Christmas caroling night!! 12/16. School and community potluck following the caroling 🤗 meet at the school at 5:45 to get organized and we will leave hopefully by 6:00 to start caroling! The potluck will be at the Willow Creek Cafe. Please join us for this fun evening! A big thank you to Mrs Leah Golding for working with the littles learning the caroling songs, putting together and printing song books and for her organizational talent helping to get the event rolling! See everyone tonight!
There will be a parent/athlete junior high girls basketball meeting grades 5-8 on Dec 15th at 6:30 in the Willow Creek School cafeteria. Please plan to attend so you can meet the coaches Tori Skolrud and Zach Dyk, and we will know the number and grades of players interested. Thank you! If you cannot attend please let Willow Creek School or Harrison School know so we count your athlete. Sports physicals will need to be completed before athletes can practice.
The boiler is up and heating! School tomorrow 👍 cheeseburgers for lunch. Thank you
Just a reminder, Willow Creek Students do not have school from the 26th through the 28th. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Willow Creek students grades 5-8 are learning about financial literacy this morning from the DECA senior girls of Gallatin High School. Thank you Chloe and Bailey for sharing your project with our students. Thank you to MsGs practicum students Matt and Brynne for jumping in and helping!
National Honor Society is having a fall food drive! Please, remember to bring canned goods to the Veterans Day program this afternoon! Support our local food bank this holiday season - milk and eggs are always in need. Thank you!