Deer Park School is hoping to replace an aging and unsafe Quonset hut and its old teacherage/office with a new 5,000 square-foot building. There’s a long list of problems with the 57-year-old Quonset hut. Years ago it used to be an inadequate gym. Now it houses the school’s music and art classrooms and the building isn’t in any better shape, just older.

The bathrooms also serve as storage rooms and in order for the music class to go to the bathroom, kids have to walk through the art class. In addition, the doors open right into class. The building also leaks, has no water faucets and nary a window.

The school’s office, which used to be the teacherage when the school was founded in 1886 is also inadequate. It’s not only the principal’s office, but it’s the lone place for a sick child to rest until they can go home and the bathroom, like the Quonset hut’s bathrooms, double as storage space.

“This is an amazing school,” said parent Jen Motes. “But we need proper environments for our teachers to teach in.”

Deer Park over the years has gained a reputation as one of the valley’s best K-8 rural schools. Its sports teams routinely win championships. It’s one of the few elementary schools to offer art and music for all grades and the kids over the years have also won a host of academic competitions. It has 15 teachers as well as several support staff.

Enrollment has surged over the years, with more than 170 students and a waiting list for kids who are out of district, hoping to get in, principal Sheri Modderman notes.

But it’s time for some new facilities. The new building would have four modern classrooms, a principal and secretary’s office, a basement for storage and proper bathrooms. 

The last major building project at the school was its gym, built largely by volunteers, more than 20 years.

The new building would cost about $4 million. The tax impact on a $500,000 home depends on the length of the bond, but a 30-year bond would mean about a $371 increase in annual property taxes on a home.

But Steve Motes, Jen’s husband, said it’s a “pay now or pay later,” situation. As enrollment continues to rise, the district could have to cut the grades it serves, and if they have to go to Kalispell in say, seventh and eighth grade, the district will have to pay Kalispell to take the students. There’s also the educational aspect.

“We’d rather have kids stay here than go to Kalispell at a bigger school,” he said.

The new building would also make the school secure, noted longtime board member Gary Anderson. With the new building, the classrooms can all be locked down in the event of an emergency. Anderson said the school plans on auctioning off the teacherage, which, despite it’s shortcomings as an office, is still a functional building. The Quonset will be torn down.

The district will have a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at the school. To date, the community reaction has been positive toward the project, they said.

Ballots were mailed last week. They’re due by 8 p.m. May 6.