Two steam boilers will be replaced at Kalispell Middle School.

The project is estimated to cost $257,374 and will be funded through the elementary building reserve money allocated for deferred maintenance.

Kalispell Public Schools Superintendent Mark Flatau said the district had hoped to receive funding through a Quality Schools Grant, but the Montana Legislature decided not to fund the competitive grant program.

When funding became available within district funds, Flatau said replacing the boilers remained a priority.

The boilers are original to the building constructed in 1969. They are on a list of school improvement priorities that were initially established after a district-wide investment grade energy audit a few years ago.

“We knew we had to address this some time in the future,” Flatau said. “They will be replaced with much higher efficiency boilers.”

“We’re going to purchase the boilers to avoid a price hike in January,” he said.

Asbestos is slated to be removed next spring and the new boilers installed in June 2016.