Hedges Elementary School staff and students can expect more consistent temperatures next school year with the replacement of its boiler system.  

Kalispell-based Northwest Mechanical Contractors was awarded the contract, with a bid of $1.1 million to replace the school’s two boiler systems, converting from steam to hot water heat.    

The money will come from a $2.3 million intercap loan.  

Work is expected to start later this month or at the beginning of July, District Director of Facilities Operations, Jeff Richer, said. The district’s goal is for the project to be completed or close to finished by the start of the school year. Any remaining work at the start of the school year shouldn’t disrupt classes, Richer said.  

“We will certainly have the system operational by the time heating season is upon us,” he said.  

As with any historic building (Hedges was built in 1929), the age of different heating system parts varies widely, according to Richer, who joined Kalispell Public Schools at the start of the 2025-26 school year.  

The aging system caused temperature variations between classrooms and one heating system failure, which, although the boilers were still functional, resulted in a day of school being canceled and a restoration contractor being brought in.   

To ensure the heating system was operational throughout the winter, Richer said someone was on call and doing daily checks in the mornings. While he said classrooms weren’t “ice-dripping off the ceiling cold,” some classroom temperatures could be in the 80s, while others were in the 50- to 60-degree range.  

Kalispell Public Schools school board chair Jinnifer Mariman recalled when her child’s third-grade class moved to the gym when the temperature became chilly.  

“I’m sure while they enjoy hanging out in their snowsuits in the gymnasium in prior events, I think they’ll appreciate being in the classroom,” Mariman said.   

Plans are also underway to replace the boiler system at Russell Elementary School next summer. This project has not yet reached the bidding process.

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.