School board looks at 10-year enrollment projection

Whitefish High School enrollment is projected to grow from about 600 students to 800 in the next decade, according to data from the Whitefish School District.

“While the enrollment can fluctuate each year, we’re focusing on the trend line,” Dave Means said July 9 at the Whitefish School Board’s monthly meeting. “And if you take the trend line out farther to five, 10 years at the continued 2% growth rate, we’re quickly at 800 students.”

Whitefish voters this fall will consider separate bond requests totaling $32.6 million to fund a high school expansion and remodel, and build an on-campus football stadium and track. Means said the district aims to “keep the community informed on multiple platforms” as the Sept. 17 vote approaches. Ballots will be mailed Aug. 28.

At the July meeting, student representative Jake Dunker raised concerns about parking in the high school expansion plans. 

“There were multiple times last year I couldn’t find parking and had to walk,” Dunker said.  

Trustees pointed out an area in front of the football field is slated to be a new parking lot. Proposed improvements to safety and security by reducing student travel to auxiliary buildings were also discussed.  

ALSO AT the meeting, trustee Shannon Hanson presented the Montana School Board Association annual June ballot. The trustees unanimously voted to approve all recommendations. 

Hanson said the vote includes no major changes. However, Hanson said one important item on the ballot is that the association is directing Montana counties to preserve the 95 mills.

These mills provide a protective shield for residential property taxpayers and students educated in Montana’s public schools. 

Last year, several counties decided to levy 78 mills due to inflated property taxes, however the Montana Supreme Court ordered them to uphold the Montana Department of Revenue’s calculation of the 95 school equalization mills.

“I commend the MTSBA on what they have done to ensure we will not see any impact on dues,” Hanson said.  

The board also approved four out-of-district students. More applicants are anticipated in August, which is the last chance to apply.  

“Not everyone knows that you have to apply before the school year starts to be accepted for the first day,” Means said.  

With that, Means said, “we can’t look at next year’s enrollment numbers until after the school year starts.”