Audit shows Muldown Elementary in need of upgrades

It may be hard to believe, but Muldown Elementary School is nearing its 50th anniversary.

Contemplation of a new elementary school in Whitefish began in 1965, according to a report from L.A. Muldown (Mully) found in the Whitefish School District vaults. An extensive expansion to Muldown was completed in 1992, nearly 25 years ago.

Over the last 25 to 50 years the world has changed dramatically. Expectations for our schools, needs of our children and community have grown, but Muldown has remained relatively unchanged in that same period of time.

School safety, security and maintenance of our schools must be top priorities. Knowing we have some deferred maintenance needs, Whitefish School District undertook a review and analysis of Muldown Elementary’s current condition over the last few months. Results of this audit reveal the deferred maintenance, safety and security, and technology infrastructure needs are significant for Muldown and require a deeper analysis than we initially contemplated. This creates an additional opportunity to truly consider how we might impact the learning environments of our youngest learners.

Over the next several months Whitefish School District will be looking more deeply into the needs of Muldown Elementary, including a comprehensive demographic study to determine if we can continue to anticipate increasing enrollments we have experienced over the past three years. The last comprehensive educational facilities planning process occurred for Muldown Elementary in 1995. It is difficult to overstate the importance of creating a new facilities plan and truly understanding the scope of the needs for the short term as well as the long term.

Whatever comes of this deeper analysis regarding the needs for Muldown Elementary, it is clear we must prioritize ongoing maintenance of all of our facilities in much the same way as we prioritize the continual professional development of our staff.

Mully reminds us: “Whatever choices we make, it is vitally important…that we continue to make quality education our top priority,”

Thank you for all you do to make Whitefish Schools a learning community of excellence!

You can reach me at the district office at (406) 862-8640 or davisschmidth@whitefishschools.org.

— Heather Davis Schmidt is Superintendent of Whitefish Schools