Kalispell Public Schools will seek voter approval of elementary and high school 20-year bond issues in a mail-ballot election Oct. 11.

School trustees unanimously made the decision Tuesday. The total cost is estimated at $54 million, although bond amounts are yet to be finalized.

In the elementary district, the money would go toward building a new elementary school south of Kalispell and renovating the district’s five existing elementary schools for an estimated price tag of $25,281,120.

On the high school side, trustees supported an “all-in” approach that would impact Flathead and Glacier high schools, parking at Flathead and improvements at Linderman Education Center, H.E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center and Legends Stadium at an estimated cost of $28,765,725.

Both proposals include remodeling and completing deferred maintenance while upgrading facilities to 21st century learning (multipurpose rooms outside the classroom designed for uses such as small group instruction, studying, collaborating, meeting and gathering).

The board removed a proposal for a second new elementary school recommended by the district’s long-term facility planning committee. Earlier a proposed new middle school had been removed from building plans.

The committee had been tasked with devising building projects that would get the district out to the year 2030 before overcrowding again became an issue.

Superintendent Mark Flatau described the scope of what the trustees approved as “the very minimum of what we absolutely must have” to address overcrowding.

A new elementary school would be built to accommodate 450 students. This is anticipated to take the district to 2021 before schools reach capacity if enrollment keeps growing by 2 percent each year.

Several trustees were hesitant to approve two new schools (including one north of Kalispell) as the committee had recommended.

One reason trustee Frank Miller objected to two elementary schools revolved around enrollment growth, which he said he thought was inflated. He said he believed enrollment has leveled off following the recession and also thought residential development to the north was “a ways off.”

Even at 1 percent enrollment growth, schools would reach capacity in 2027 and a second elementary school would be needed down the road, according to Flatau.

Trustee Don Murray was concerned that trying to fund two schools would cause people to vote against a bond issue.

“If the climate was better now economically in terms of what we sense as community support for schools, I would say fine. It worked for Missoula,” Murray said. “But you would have to really convince me that wouldn’t cause us to fail completely.”

On the other hand, trustee Mary Tepas was concerned if community support would be there when a second school is needed.

“I don’t want to see kids stuck in broom closets any more,” Tepas said.

Trustee Anna Marie Bailey sought a middle ground of asking for funding for one school while securing additional property for the future, which is what trustees ultimately voted to do.

“I think we’re being proactive if we went for the first school and tried to negotiate a price for the property up north but not go for the second school at this time,” Bailey said. “I think it makes it look more economically feasible.”

In a separate 6-1 vote, with Mary Ruby in opposition, elementary district trustees tasked the district to continue searching for a future school site.

“I’m looking at your taxpayer and I’m saying no because I am an elementary/high school person and I am saying — looking at my taxes on my little house — no,” Ruby said.

If the $25,281,120 elementary bond is approved, owners of a home with an assessed value of $200,000 could anticipate taxes increasing by $116.81 annually.

Flatau said tax impacts were estimated on the higher end of potential interest rates.

The district has been in contact with a landowner north of town who is considering selling a 25-acre parcel. Ruby was concerned that the district hasn’t been given a price yet on the property after several months.

The district previously paid $420,000 to purchase the 25-acre property south of town on Airport Road that would be the site of the first new school.

The bulk of the proposed high school spending, $18 million, would be slated for Flathead High School: replacing the small gym, demolishing the half floors and a lecture hall and replacing them with two stories of classrooms. The proposed remodel could increase the school’s capacity by 150 students.

The proposal also includes a 30,000 square-foot parking expansion for 110 vehicles. The expansion would require purchasing and demolishing neighboring homes.

Flatau addressed concerns regarding eminent domain to attain properties.

“Let me just say we have never discussed it, nor contemplated in any way, shape or form exercising any level of eminent domain,” Flatau said. “This would strictly be when any home or property became available and we felt it would fit in our footprint whether for parking or other purposes.”

At the H.E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center, the welding program would find a permanent home with a new shop if the bond request passes. There also would be a new science lab, offices, info-commons, greenhouse and remodeling to expand the veterinary science program.

Linderman wouldn’t receive any additions, but be renovated to utilize space better such as creating a new commons and refurbishing the gym.

Glacier would receive money only for deferred maintenance, although school administrators are keeping an eye on enrollment growth due to nearby residential construction.

The proposal for Legends Stadium includes rebuilding the main field. Whether that means synthetic turf or grass is yet to be determined.

“The difference in price is not that much,” Flatau said.

Bleacher improvements and upgrades to the officials building also are part of the Legends proposal.

If the $28,765,725 high school plan is approved, owners of a home with an assessed value of $200,000 could anticipate property taxes to increase by $58.46 annually.

Flatau reminded trustees that with new facilities would come the need for continued funding for operations and maintenance.

“The board contemplated a high school levy in May and passed up on it. I think it was a prudent decision to make for a variety of reasons, but those needs are not going away,” Flatau said. “And then if we bring on an additional elementary school — [I’m] not saying that absolutely requires additional levy support, but I think it’s something we have to have our eyes wide open and we have to take a hard look at that.”

Miller agreed, saying the issue of levy requests should be part of the discussion with voters.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.