Whitefish School District hosts informational session on school bonds

Over the last decade the Whitefish School District has grown by 2.17% while Whitefish High School has grown by 2.74%. The 2023-24 school year was no exception to the trend.

Going forward, these growth rates are projected to continue at 2% and district administrators say more space is needed to accommodate the increased enrollment.

The district is hosting public informational sessions in the coming months regarding two school bonds that will appear on the ballot in September. The bonds were previously combined in last year’s election, but failed with a 2,313 to 2,161 vote. This year, the vote will be for two separate bonds: $26.5 million for the high school expansion and $6.1 million for a sports complex. 

“In trimming the scope of the project proposed last year, we tried to maintain a baseline that lends the expansions to further future growth, maybe through donor opportunities,” Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown said. 

The estimated taxpayer impact of both bonds is $114.37 per year for a property with a taxable value of $600,000 – $88.04 for the building expansion and $26.33 for the athletic facility.

The informational sessions are intended to provide an opportunity to learn about the proposals.

“When we come together for our community engagement meetings, we listen to all feedback and questions,” said Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means.  

“By asking questions, we understand what gaps we need to fill,” Drown added.

In addition to the engagement sessions, the district has an online FAQ and imagery to help the public visualize the expansion's details, such as the size and turf of the track and grandstand accommodations.

At the June 12 school board meeting, trustees said it’s important for the district to own its athletic facility. Currently, the district leases Memorial Field from the Glacier Twins American Legion baseball team. 

“The existing track is not functional at all. It would need to be repaired regardless, even then, it is not suitable in size and for hosting [events],” said Elizabeth Zachman, an architect with Cushing Terrell, at Monday’s informational session.

“People might not even think of accessibility when considering why we need a new stadium,” said Elizabeth Pitman, trustee and school board vice chair. 

The current stadium is not ADA accessible. 

As for the academic expansion, a frequent misconception has been about culinary arts, said Trustee Katie Clarke. 

“We need more room in the kitchen –– as in the culinary arts classroom kitchen, not the cafeteria,” she clarified.

“We try to have courses and opportunities that allow our students to pursue future careers and lifepaths that are rewarding, as well as catering to our local community, such as hospitality and construction trades … but we can’t meet the demand of students with the limitation to space,” said Drown.

“When you see the need for building space, and you can combine it with increased opportunities, that’s the golden equation for the future.”

There have been three community engagement sessions so far. The next meetings are on July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 19 and Sept. 5, all at 5:30 p.m. at Whitefish High School.  

Additional information on the expansions is available online at wsd44.org.

    Whitefish High School's proposed athletic expansion. (Rendering provided)