School board to make bond decision Monday

Citizens will have their last chance to voice their opinion on School District Six’s future elementary building plans as the Long Range Planning Committee is set to make its final recommendation to the school board at Monday evening’s regular meeting.

The Planning Committee voted unanimously last week to recommend to the board a plan that would see the district remodel Ruder Elementary and demolish most of Glacier Gateway in favor of a new facility.

The projects are estimated to cost close to $34.4 million.

If passed by the voters in November, the new bond would raise school taxes in the district from the current $81 a year on a $200,000 home to $237, an increase of roughly $19.75 per month.

According to L’Heureux Page Werner Architecture’s Steve L’Heureux, the upgraded facilities would not only provide a better learning environment for local elementary students, they would also help draw families to the district.

“There are a couple of messages that are sent when try to upgrade school facilities. It’s all about trying to create a quality, safe and secure environment for learning. It shows that the community is willing to invest in those sorts of things. It will make people want to come here,” he said.

While the school board could give the project the green light Monday, the current plans are not set in stone.

“These are still conceptual plans. There could still changes after we establish a budget, but we need to know what that budget will be first. Once we get the bond issue passed, we can really sit down and figure out the final details,” L’Heureux said.

The school board is set to meet at the District Six Administration Building at 6 p.m. Monday.