Most of the Polson community is aware that the Polson High School roof was leaking at the end of the 2012 school year.  The Board took action to repair one-third of the roof by taking out a loan for $164,000 and establishing a cooperative between Polson Elementary School District and Polson High School District whereby the District can access funds set aside in HB 329 from the last legislative session.  However, there is more to do to repair the high school roof.  

Temp-Right from Missoula was hired by the District to do a complete evaluation of the remaining work to be done on the roof and to formulate exact costs.  In addition to replacing two-thirds of the remaining roof, their evaluation indicated that the roof-top heating units, now 40 years old, need to be replaced in addition to increasing the ventilation to areas of the high school where there is little fresh air—science rooms, weight room, and wrestling room.  In addition there was found to be tremendous leakage of heat from just below the roof and the windows.  However, the overall physical structure of the high school is sound.  The total project is estimated to cost 2.5 million dollars.  

The Board of Trustees is now formulating a plan for the final repairs. We have applied for a Quality Schools Grant for $1.3 million dollars from the Montana Department of Commerce to replace the 40yr old heating units and improve the ventilation for students, teachers and staff.  We will find out spring 2013 if we receive this grant.  If we are awarded this grant or a portion, it will offset the total cost of the repairs. However, we will also need the financial support of the community to finish the job. We all either know students who attend Polson High School or we know children who will attend the High School—some of whom are your children or your grandchildren.  For many of you who have asked, the Board is developing a facilities master plan for prioritizing ongoing future repairs by establishing a “facilities fund” with existing funding.  

As a community member you may be asking, “Why should I support this with my tax dollars?”   First, every new business and new family that comes to Polson always investigates the quality of our schools, both academics and the facilities.  Secondly, repairing the high school roof and heating units will provide work for local contractors and tradesmen which will also help our local economy.  Finally, for a small increase in tax dollars over a 10 year period ($9.78 per $100,000 dollar house; $19.57 for a $200,000 house; $29.35 for a $300,000 house), with a possible offset of $1.3 million which would reduce these amounts, it is small price to pay for a healthy environment for students, teachers and staff as well as the economic incentives that will come to Polson.  In the coming days, you will be hearing more about this proposal.