Whitefish School District outlines academic and athletic bond requests

Over the last decade, the Whitefish School District has grown by 2.17% while Whitefish High School has grown by 2.74%. The 2023-24 school year was no exception to the trend.

Going forward, these growth rates are projected to continue at 2% and district administrators say more space is needed to accommodate the increased enrollment.

The district is hosting public informational sessions in the coming months regarding two school bonds that will appear on the ballot in September. The bonds were previously combined in last year’s election but failed with a 2,313 to 2,161 vote. This year, the vote will be for two separate bonds: $26.5 million for the high school expansion and $6.1 million for a sports complex. 

“In trimming the scope of the project proposed last year, we tried to maintain a baseline that lends the expansions to further future growth, maybe through donor opportunities,” Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown said. 

The expansion plans are expected to address anticipated growth over the next 15 to 20 years, according to the district. In the dozen years since the last bond passed to upgrade the high school, enrollment has increased by about 170 students pushing the school beyond its capacity of 600 students. 

The estimated taxpayer impact of both bonds is $114.37 per year for a property with a taxable value of $600,000 – $88.04 for the building expansion and $26.33 for the athletic facility.

The academic bond would expand the high school building including adding classrooms and labs, expanding the culinary arts program and expanding multipurpose spaces. It would also allow for renovations to the Whitefish Independent High School. 

The informational sessions are intended to provide an opportunity to learn about the proposals.

“When we come together for our community engagement meetings, we listen to all feedback and questions,” said Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means.  

“By asking questions, we understand what gaps we need to fill,” Drown added.

In addition to the engagement sessions, the district has an online frequently asked questions and imagery to help the public visualize the expansion's details, such as the size and turf of the track and grandstand accommodations.

At the June 12 school board meeting, trustees said it’s important for the district to own its athletic facility. The district currently leases Memorial Field from the Glacier Twins American Legion baseball team. 

“The existing track is not functional at all. It would need to be repaired regardless, even then, it is not suitable in size and for hosting [events],” said Elizabeth Zachman, an architect with Cushing Terrell, at Monday’s informational session.

“People might not even think of accessibility when considering why we need a new stadium,” said Elizabeth Pitman, trustee and school board vice chair. 

The current stadium is not Americans with Disabilities Act accessible. 

As part of the athletic facility project, the track and football field would be relocated and rebuilt, a new 10-lane track will be constructed, along with new pits for long jump and other track and field events. 

A new football field would be constructed and new practice fields to accommodate both football and soccer practices. 

As for the academic expansion, a frequent misconception has been about culinary arts, said Trustee Katie Clarke. 

“We need more room in the kitchen –– as in the culinary arts classroom kitchen, not the cafeteria,” she clarified.

“We try to have courses and opportunities that allow our students to pursue future careers and lifepaths that are rewarding, as well as catering to our local community, such as hospitality and construction trades … but we can’t meet the demand of students with the limitation to space,” said Drown.

“When you see the need for building space, and you can combine it with increased opportunities, that’s the golden equation for the future.”

The next informational meetings are on July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 19 and Sept. 5, all at 5:30 p.m. at Whitefish High School.  

Ballots will be mailed out to registered voters in the school district in August and will be due on Sept. 17 to the district office. 

Additional information on the expansions is available online at wsd44.org.

    Whitefish High School's proposed athletic expansion. (Rendering provided)