Columbia Falls School District paid more than $50,000 for elevator parts. The work was never done
CHRIS PETERSON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 days, 9 hours AGO
An aerial view of the high school and the football field.
Chris Peterson is the editor of the Hungry Horse News. He covers Columbia Falls, the Canyon, Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All told, about 4 million acres of the best parts of the planet. He can be reached at [email protected] or 406-892-2151. | January 6, 2026 11:00 PM
The Columbia Falls School District 6 Board in November voted to file a claim against Bluestone Elevator Inc. of Polson for $53,746.
The company provided the district with a proposal to replace what’s known as the Dover Cimarron Jack in the high school elevator in June of 2025.
The district paid the above-mentioned amount in full up front to procure the parts and equipment, but to date the district hasn’t received the parts or had any contact with the company.
The Hungry Horse News reached out to the company for comment, but received no reply, though it currently still has a listing online and an active phone number
The school district, in turn, has contracted with Kaleva Law Office of Missoula to file a claim against Bluestone. Bluestone, according to the district, no longer has an active license to do elevator repairs in Montana according to the Department of Labor.
The district previously used Kone Elevator for repairs and maintenance of its elevators, but they were out of Spokane, Washington and the fees were high. The vote to pursue the claim against Bluestone was 6-0.
ARTICLES BY CHRIS PETERSON
Girl in hospital after driver of alleged stolen vehicle collides with her car in Columbia Heights
There was a serious accident in Columbia Heights Friday night after the driver of an alleged stolen vehicle collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Highway 206 and Highway 2.
Man faces attempted deliberate homicide charge in alleged rural road rage incident
A man involved in an apparent road rage incident on Columbia Falls Stage Road Christmas Eve has been charged with attempted deliberate homicide and felony criminal endangerment for shooting a man in the head and nearly shooting his 8-year-old child, who was in a car seat in the vehicle.
Columbia Falls School District paid more than $50,000 for elevator parts. The work was never done
The Columbia Falls School District 6 Board in November voted to file a claim against Bluestone Elevator Inc. of Polson for $53,746.