Local businesses are thinking outside the box when it comes to improvements for Flathead High School.

They have stepped up to do some repair work in the high school through “Fix the Flathead,” a project spearheaded by Tom Kern of Western Building Center.

About 10 workers volunteered a Saturday on Aug. 4, remodeling four double-door entrances to the high school gym and covering an unused door. They also replaced a water heater in the high school shop building. Donated supplies and materials added up to roughly $12,000, Kern said.

The project comes after a $4,127,915 high school building reserve levy failed in May.

“Basically we thought we should support the school,” Kern said. “I talked to my boss at WBC [about organizing the project] and they said ‘go for it.’”

Although Kern voted against the levy because it would increase taxes, he still supports the district, preferring to show it in a different way.

“This is the way it used to be in rural areas. People from the community would go in and fix the schools,” Kern said. “Maybe we don’t have the money in the form of tax dollars, but we need to support the schools.”

Kern walked over to one of the doors being measured by volunteer Jeremy Peterson of JRP Construction, and tapped it.

“It will last for a long time,” Kern said.

“You really have confidence in these kids nowadays,” Peterson joked.

Handing tools to Peterson was 17-year-old Gavin Ruud. Ruud will be a junior at Flathead in the fall. He came to help out his father, Dan Ruud of Kalmont Distributors.

“My dad got me out of bed and said ‘let’s go,’” Gavin Ruud said.

Kern said the day had gone smoothly and could possibly mean future collaborations involving different businesses.

“We’re starting small and making sure it worked,” Kern said.

Flathead High School was familiar territory to Kalmont Distributors volunteer Wayne Beatty, who graduated from the school in 1973.

“Flathead always has a lot of pride. It is a pleasure to come back and meet the needs of the school,” Beatty said. “I feel the school district does well. They’re doing as much maintenance as their allotted dollar amount allows them to do.”

Superintendent Darlene Schottle said replacing the gym doors was on its list of priorities, but not something for which the district had extra funding. Schottle said it was a great surprise when Kern approached her with “Fix Flathead.”

“I think it is a very nice compliment that many members of our community do want the high school in as good of shape as possible,” Schottle said.

Schottle added that members of Flathead High School staff, such as industrial arts teacher Brock Anderson, have also volunteered time to fix up the school.

“He went into the wood shop and sanded down the floors removing years of build-up. It looks fabulous,” Schottle said. “All the support we’ve had is very much appreciated.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].