Bigfork bond ballots head to voters

Voters will decide the fate of a $14 million bond request to build an addition and renovate Bigfork High School.

Starting Friday, approximately 4,282 ballots will be mailed out to registered voters. Ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Oct. 9.

Successful passage of a bond would fund approximately 24,000 square feet of new construction plus renovation of the existing building in addition to the wood and auto shop building.

The proposed project would include eight new classrooms, four locker rooms, a gym expansion and library relocation to the first floor. The building would also be brought up to code with fire and safety regulations and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The expansion plan is not due to enrollment growth but rather a lack of space for current students. For example, three classes meet in the elementary/middle school building — including using the computer lab — and administrators have said it is a priority to get them back into the high school.

If the 20-year bond request is approved, owners of $200,000 homes can anticipate taxes to increase by $69.54 annually. For owners of $300,000 homes, annual taxes may increase by $104.31. These numbers were calculated based on 2014 mill values.

The last updates to the high school were a new foyer and restroom in 1999.

The last time approval was sought for a high school bond request was in 2008. Voters defeated that $11.1 million request.

If voters approve the current $14 million bond request, construction could be completed by 2018.

For more information on the bond request, go to www.bigforkschools.org/page/2625/category.

To view specific property tax information, visit flathead.mt.gov/property_tax.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.