As voters receive ballots, main focus for ADLC is on Metcalf, Head Start levies

The ballots are out for the June 2 Primary Election, and while there are no Anaconda-Deer Lodge County offices on it this time around, voters in ADLC will be asked to decide on whether to pass mill levies to support two long-running organizations that have served local residents from the eldest to the youngest: the Smelter City Senior Center at the Metcalf, and ADLC Head Start. 

The senior center’s director, Leigha Bates, said in a previous interview that one of the levies is for the center’s food program, which is currently its biggest expense, and the other for the center’s operations and transportation. The levies are independent of each other as they represent two separate ballot questions, CW-26-1 and CW-26-2.

If both levies for the senior center pass, the impact on local property taxes would be $4.56 per year on a $100,000 home, $13.68 per year on a $300,000 home, and $32.16 per year on a $600,000 home, with the levies to run for two years.

Bates also said that at this time, the senior center is not solvent. 

“We’re in the red,” she said, explaining that much of that was due to its food program, which serves in-house lunch Monday-Thursday and Meal on Wheels Deliveries Monday-Friday to clients, many of whom are homebound.

The prices are $7 per meal, but Bates said the center will never turn anyone away because of inability to pay.

“Even with the wonderful fundraisers and donations we’ve had, we’re still not solvent,” Bates said. “We want to continue as is and do not want to pass the cost on to clients.”

According to many testimonials provided by those who regularly attend the senior center, it's a lifeline for the dozens of senior community members who utilize the senior center, the activities, social network, and meals it brings.

“The price is nice – meals, crafts, cards, and social contact,” said Aline T., who utilizes the senior center’s services. “Getting your toes done is another affordable perk. Appreciation of things we might not get in the public - it’s priceless.”

“[It’s a] great place for all the seniors with food and games,” said Dennis S., who visits the senior center regularly. “The center is great for the citizens to eat and play pool, but we need it to be back open Fridays.” 

Bates said that if the levies pass, her goal is to open the center back up on Fridays for patrons like Dennis S.

“I really like the senior center,” said George K., another regular senior center visitor. “It’s my place of peace, around others my age.”

Other patrons mentioned that for those who don’t have a spouse or family living with them, the senior center can be especially essential.

“Because I live alone, it is a great place for food and companionship,” said Midge M., who regularly visits the senior center.

Roger B., who also regularly visits the senior center, agreed when he said: “[It’s a] convenient place to play pool as the only place I have for social interaction.” 

Bates said the food levies, if passed, will cover actual food, supplies to cook food, kitchen staff wages, and incidentals such as cooking oil.

On the center and transportation side of things, the levies would go to covering deferred maintenance for the center and transportation costs.

Bates explained that the levies would not go to fund the center’s capital projects, such as its roof repairs or structural work, things Bates said will be expensive and is applying for grants to cover the cost of.

Rather, the levies will cover regular maintenance like sewer cleanouts that need to be done at least once a year, and cleanings of the coolant system in the kitchen, which needs to be done every month or two.

Bates said the kitchen staff in recent months has worked hard to cut costs while still delivering filling, delicious meals as much as possible, and have been coming in under budget.

“Our kitchen staff has done a phenomenal job and have virtually eliminated food waste,” Bate said.

The senior center recently started offering trips to local grocery stores such as Stokes and Albertsons, and would like to be able to offer trips for seniors to local community events like the library’s book sale, which is something levy funds would go toward. The levies would help fund gas, vehicle maintenance and wages to support the center’s bus driver working more hours.

Bates has said she’s gotten comments expressing frustration about levies and their effects on people’s taxes. She said she understands, and believes the center is a needed resource in the community.

“We would very seriously look at everything we spend money on with the levies,” Bates said.

ADLC Head Start levy

The levy for ADLC Head Start would also go toward transportation and building maintenance, according to the program’s director, Heidi Ungaretti.

The property tax impact of the two-year, non-permanent levy for the Head Start would be $1.52 per year for a $100,000 home, $4.56 for a $300,000 home and $10.72 for a $600,000 home. The levy would generate approximately $53,114 annually.

Ungaretti said the program’s buses serve 26 students per day, and run two routes twice per day for the pre-school and kindergarten readiness classes.

Ungaretti said if the levy doesn’t pass, she doesn’t know if Head Start would be able to continue offering transportation, which could be an attendance barrier for some children and a hardship on families.

“If the mill levy doesn’t pass, it’s going to put added strain on the budget with the money we get from the federal grant,” Ungaretti said, explaining that transportation costs aren’t worked into the budget at this time.

Parents like Miranda Kopp who send their children to Head Start said they have noticed the difference it makes in their children’s lives.

Kopp said that before Head Start, her son hadn’t been away from her until he turned 3, so she was worried about him starting school. 

“But from the very beginning, the teachers and staff made both of us feel so comfortable and supported,” Kopp said. “Since starting at Head Start, he has absolutely flourished. His confidence, social skills, independence, and love for learning have grown so much in such a short amount of time.” 

Kopp said one thing she appreciates is how individualized the care and attention is for each child. 

“It truly feels like the teachers take the time to understand every child’s unique personality and needs,” Kopp said. “You can tell they genuinely care about the kids and want them to succeed. I also love how involved they encourage parents to be. It really feels like a partnership between families and the school, and that makes such a huge difference. We’ve had such a positive experience with Head Start, and I’m so thankful for the love, patience, and support they’ve shown my son.”

Likewise, Head Start parent and teacher Shayna Olhausen said that, from both perspectives, she has seen both the positive impact of Head Start every day. 

“It’s more than just a place for academics – it’s a place where students feel safe, loved, encouraged, and accepted for who they are,” Olhausen said.  “As a teacher, I’ve seen students grow in confidence, build strong relationships, and develop important skills for learning and life. As a parent, I appreciate the communication, care, and inclusiveness the school provides.”

Olhausen said she knows at Head Start, her child is surrounded by people who genuinely care about his well-being and success. 

“My son has truly blossomed under the guidance of his beloved teacher,” Olhausen said. “She gives him the most thoughtful guidance and we are grateful for her patience, passion, and kindness that she brings to the classroom every day. The families feel included and valued, and students are encouraged to succeed while feeling respected and understood. The school truly works to support the whole child and build strong partnerships with families.”

Olhausen said that what makes ADLC Head Start special is the sense of community. 

“Families, teachers, and students work together, and you can feel the positivity and support throughout the school,” Olhausen said. “I believe the impact goes beyond the classroom because children are learning not only educational skills, but also kindness, respect, and confidence in themselves.”

Head Start serves pregnant women and children 0-3 years old, and the preschool serves older 3-year-olds to 5-year-olds. Ungaretti said the Head Start isn’t able to start transporting students until they’re three years old, but once students age into it, she can see the relief in the parents. 

“Some families may only have one vehicle that is used for one of the primary caregivers to hold a job,” Ungaretti said. “You can tell they’re very happy the bus comes.”

For students who take the bus, Ungaretti said that learning starts as soon as they get on in the morning. Bus driver Ida Chenoweth doesn’t just get the students from point A to point B, but she plays music, and the children sing nursery rhymes and play games, and when she rides with the students, she plays games like “I spy” with the children, identifies differently colored cars

Ungaretti said ADLC Head Start is fortunate to have a bus, as many Head Start programs don’t, and that the community has been extremely generous to Head Start in the past. 

“It’s great, the love we have for our Head Start,” Ungaretti said. “You either know someone who’s worked here, know a family that’s participated or someone that’s participated on some level.”

As far as building maintenance goes, Ungaretti said the levy will pay for expenses like lawn care in the summer, snow removal in the winter, plumbing, electrical work, some insurance, and the Head Start’s IT.

Ungaretti said the levy will not be used to fund wages or things like Social Security and unemployment.

Bates and Ungaretti both said that although the Senior Center and Head Start are two separate organizations, the two are working together to spread awareness about both.

“That way we can show people we’re one community and that we can support everyone from our littles to our seniors,” Ungaretti said.