The Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative is moving to a new location.

After 10 years in the Linderman Education Center building on Third Avenue East in Kalispell, the cooperative will move across town to suite 39 in the Gateway Community Center, 1203 U.S. 2. The cooperative expects to be in its new location by March 1.

The reason for the move is Kalispell Public Schools’ renovation plans for Linderman as part of a $28.8 million bond issue to upgrade its high school facilities.

The school district offered the cooperative space in a small building located behind Linderman, which formerly housed the district transportation department. The alternative location didn’t meet the consortium’s needs as far as meeting rooms and storage space, said Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative Director Karla Miller.

The rent the cooperative will pay to the United Way is comparable to what it currently pays the district, she said.

“It will be a great partnership,” Miller said.

Twenty-five member districts belong to the cooperative in Flathead, Lincoln and Sanders counties. The cooperative provides educators with resources, curriculum development, professional development and other support services to help schools meet state accreditation standards.

Fore more information call 406-752-3302 or email office@nwmtcoop.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.