District taking qualifications for high school expansion project
Whitefish School District is accepting requests for qualifications from architects and for an owner's representative for the Whitefish High School academic and athletic expansions, with the aim to finish screening and interviews prior to the school board meeting on Dec. 8. The same screening process will follow shortly thereafter for general contractors, and the architects will begin final drawings in January. “At that time, we will know more about how construction will look for certain parts of the project. We’re excited about our next steps,” Superintendent Dave Means said.
District Clerk Lucie Shea at the Oct. 8 school board meeting presented for approval the Sept. 17 election results that approved two school bonds. The $26.5 million academic expansion bond was approved with 2,876 votes for and 2,200 votes against. The $6.1 million athletic expansion bond passed by a closer margin with 2,635 votes for and 2,437 votes against.
Out of 10,798 registered voters, 5,091 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 47%. In the first attempt to pass a combined $33.7 million academic and athletic bond in Oct. 2023, which voters rejected, the voter turnout was only 36.62%.
Several board members said that the increased voter turnout was a huge success, expressing gratitude for the community as well as the elections committee.
“Compared to last year’s election, we had much more interest and participation, not just on elections day, but throughout the whole process,” Shea said. Shea said that she and the election committee were in the building on Sept. 17 tallying votes until 1:30 a.m.
THE BOARD also discussed mental health resources at the meeting. The district is promoting free and confidential mental health resources through ParentGuidance.org. The site offers support from licensed therapists and one-on-one coaching.
In previous years, the district has offered group-based guidance but has since shifted to more individualized sessions. Approximately 15 students took advantage of the free coaching resource in the 2023-24 school year, which the board sees as a success that they hope grows further in the 2024-25 school year.
The board renewed an agreement with Logan Health that allows physicians to provide behavioral and mental health care services on-site at Whitefish High School. The designated office space is 100 square feet, slightly smaller than in years past, but adequate, according to multiple trustees.
THE BOARD also discussed the most effective way to conduct the annual superintendent evaluation.
The evaluation process begins with informal feedback gathering as the trustees conduct school visits, discussions with administrators and staff, and surveys on the district’s priorities.
The evaluation includes five standards: instructional leadership, relationship with the board, staff relationships, community relations, and business and finance.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS from the meeting included a shout-out to Whitefish High School music students by Aric Harris, activities director. Seven select members of the high school choir, band and orchestra are headed to the All-State music festival this weekend in Billings, the most to ever earn the honor in at least the last decade, according to Harris.
Jason Sanders, culinary arts instructor, said he looks forward to more space dedicated to culinary arts classrooms with the upcoming expansion. Sanders said nearly 190 students signed up for his class this year, but that most students who hadn’t taken the class before were able to get a spot. Sanders discussed his passion for instructing, as his class helps students prepare to sustain themselves and their families.