Make investments in classrooms and athletic facilities

Last fall, Whitefish High School District voters almost passed a bond to fund expansion of high school classrooms and improve its outdoor sports facilities. About 4,500 voters turned in ballots (about 37%). The bond failed by less than 160 votes.  

The need for more classrooms and better outdoor athletic facilities hasn’t gone away, and there is another chance to make these investments. Ballots have been mailed to Whitefish High School district voters — check your mailboxes. In case you’re on the fence, here are some reasons to vote yes to both bonds! 

Vote yes! For more career and technical education classrooms! Local employers are hurting for skilled workers in all areas. 

Vote yes! For a safer campus. The high school is already over capacity, so some required classes are at the old Muldown. Your “yes” vote will mean no more 8-10 minute icy, winter treks. 

Vote yes! To building Whitefish’s first ever, district-owned football field. Right now, the district leases Memorial Field from the Glacier Twins for thousands of dollars. The district then spends thousands more to convert this baseball field to football every year. The turf is pot-holed and rock hard, the bleachers are falling apart and there are no bathrooms. We can do better!  

Vote yes! For a safe and functional track and field. This spring was Whitefish High School’s turn to host divisionals, but our own track is so badly deteriorated that we had to host divisionals at Columbia Falls. Again, we can do better! 

Vote yes! So that the Independent High School can expand to meet the growing demand for its flexible and personalized programs.   

Vote yes! For a bigger culinary arts kitchen. These popular classes always have waiting lists and are space-limited. 

Vote yes! For more classroom space and labs so that the No. 2 high school in Montana (according to May 2024’s US News & World Report) can continue to grow its Advanced Placement and other class offerings.  

The cost of these bonds will be different for every property owner in the high school district and based on the property’s tax assessment value. For my family both bonds will add about $18/month, total, to our property tax bill. While I don’t like paying more in taxes, this is a very big return on a small investment. Please join thousands of your fellow Whitefish High School District voters and vote yes to both.  

You may either mail or drop off your ballot in person to the District Office at 600 East Second Street. Ballots must be received by Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. 

Amina and Dave Diehl live in Whitefish.