Be sure to register for bond vote

The Daily Inter Lake

Monday is the last day to register to vote in Bigfork School District's upcoming bond election.

The district is requesting $16.6 million in bonds to upgrade and improve its elementary and high-school buildings. The existing facilities are outdated, crowded and deficient, school officials say.

The district hopes to pass an $11.1 million high-school bond, which will be repaid across 15 years. Some bond money would be used to expand the library and commons area, build new science labs and classrooms, and renovate existing classrooms.

At the elementary level, the district is requesting a $5.5 million, 15-year bond. Money would be used to build new classrooms for elementary and middle-school students and remove the sixth-grade portable building.

Bond money also would be used to improve the parking lot and accesses to help alleviate after-school traffic congestion. New main entries would be built at both schools to improve access and safety.

If approved, the bonds will raise annual property taxes by about $250 for a home with an assessed market value of $200,000. Homes with assessed values of $300,000 would see $375 annual tax increases.

The district will mail ballots Sept. 19 to all registered voters. Ballots must be returned no later than Oct. 9. Polls will not be open; voters must use mail-in ballots.

For more information about the election, visit http://suse.bigfork.k12.mt.us/district/index.htm or call 837-7400.