Columbia Falls High School opened in 1959 and has never had a full update. It still runs on much of its original heat, pipes, and wiring. This September, we can finally fix it, for less than last year's plan.
Short on time? Here's the whole case for the bond in one quick video.
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The district has fixed up almost every other school. The high school is the only one left. The roof started failing. Then we found the rest: old heat, bad pipes, and too many unlocked doors.
The building has about 32 outside doors today, with no central way to lock them. The plan cuts that to 7 secure entrances with a buzz-in vestibule at the front, adds fire sprinklers throughout (the building has none at all right now), and puts in a new system to reach every classroom fast in an emergency.
The heat, pipes, and wiring are original and failing. The old boiler wastes energy, and more than half the building's heat escapes through its single-pane windows and walls. The plan replaces all of it, fixes the roof for good, and stops the leaks. That means fewer breakdowns and far lower bills.
Two new shop classes, machining and automotive, plus separate science labs and breakout spaces for group work. Art moves back inside the main building. And the theater gains about 200 seats and a real stage, so families aren't crowding into the hallway at concerts.
Last year's plan cost too much, so voters said no. This one is cheaper. You may have heard "$409 a year." That's the highest it ever gets, and not until 2030. It does not all hit at once.
The value your county lists for your home, not its sale price.
The cost comes in two steps, not all at once. And as more people move here, the bill gets split among more homes. So your share should stay flat or even drop.
The bigger first step. About two-thirds of the cost.
The last step. This reaches the full amount.
Montana taxes only a portion of your home's value, and these estimates already do that math. They are based on the district's own published numbers. For your exact amount, use the official calculator at cfhsbond.com. And an old roof tax from 2024 comes off your bill in 2026.
Here's how these spaces could look after the remodel. Tap any picture to see it bigger.
New classrooms and shop space. Plus new heat, pipes, wiring, and safety upgrades all through the building.
Last year's plan lost by a lot. The problem was cost. So here's what changed.
Now $75.9 million, down from $84.8 million.
They made the building smaller to save money.
Sized for the kids we have now, not a guess.
The cost comes in two steps, not all at once.
They're chasing grants to lower your share even more.
This vote is only about the high school. Nothing else.
The district borrows the money in two parts, not all at once. The first part comes in 2028 and covers about two-thirds of the cost. The second part comes in 2030 and brings it to the full amount. So your tax goes up in two smaller steps instead of one big jump, and the most it ever reaches is the 2030 amount.
It paid to replace the failing roof over the two-story wing. The old roof had rusted through. That money did its job. And that tax drops off your bill in 2026.
It rained hard during the roof work and caused damage. Insurance paid to fix it, so taxpayers didn't. Next time, the district will set firm schedules and rain plans with the builder before work starts.
On purpose. A new ceiling would cost about $70,000. Then they'd rip it right back out to run new wires and ducts in the remodel. Leaving it open saves paying twice. That's smart planning, not neglect.
No. The district is going after grants too, to lower your share. That includes money for the shop classes and a state grant to remove lead.
No. This is mostly a remodel of a building still running on its original 1959 systems. It adds some space for shop classes and labs, but the bigger goal is fixing what is failing and pulling the whole school under one roof, including the art classes that sit in a separate building today. The district already cut $8.9 million and the larger expansion from last year's plan.
You vote by mail. Ballots go out September 11. Yours must be back by 8 p.m. on September 29. Follow the three steps below to get ready.
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It arrives around September 11. Mark YES and sign the envelope.
Mail it early, or drop it off at the Flathead County Election Department. It must be in by 8 p.m. Late ballots don't count.
Last time we lost by a lot. We can flip it with yard signs, a few talks with friends, and your vote.
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We got it.