High School Bond Fails in Close Race

Voters shot down plans for a major security and maintenance overhaul of Missoula's four high schools Tuesday when they voted 48 to 51 percent against a $10 million school bond.

The High School Building Reserve, which appeared on the election ballot of every eligible voter in the Missoula County Public School District, failed by a vote of 11,967 to 11,292.

MCPS School Board Chairwoman Jenda Hemphill said the defeat came as a surprise.

“I can’t remember the last time a school money issue didn’t pass; it’s probably been 12 years,” Hemphill said. “It’s shocking.”

Hemphill also said that new mail-in voting might have had a bearing on outcome. She commended the increased voter turnout, but said more votes may also mean more diversity of views.

“It was easier for people to voice their opinion this year,” Hemphill said.

As for the proposed projects at Hellgate, Big Sky, Sentinel and Seeley-Swan high schools, Hemphill said they wouldn’t be going forward any time soon.

"We need to look for another way of funding these projects,” Hemphill said.

When asked why she thought the levy had failed, Hemphill said: “I hope we weren’t taking the community for granted. We’ve always been so lucky with community support. Maybe we as a district need to do a better job.”

Big Sky, Hellgate, Sentinel and Seeley-Swan would have used the $10 million bond to revamp the interior and exterior of each school, as well as upgrade the school¹s safety equipment.

Of the $10 million bond, $8 million would have gone into maintenance and renovations of high school facilities, while $1.5 million would have been used in making each high school safer.

To cover the cost of the bond, residents with a taxable home value of $200,000 would have paid an average of $24.42 per year for the next five years.

However, a decline in tax rates due to a lower assessment would average the overall increase in taxes by $3.42.

According to the Missoula County Public Schools, the bond money would have paid to install interior and exterior security cameras and with a key-card system to improve students' safety.

Other projects would have included upgrading the heating and ventilation systems, replacing science and woodworking equipment, upgrading parking facilities, theater, band and orchestra equipment, and replacing lighting.

-By KRISTIN GREGORY and JOE SLEMBERGER