The Whitefish School Board earlier this month accepted a $50,712 donation from the Whitefish Community Foundation on behalf of an anonymous donor to support the high school track expansion, specifically for improvements to the long jump runway and pit. 

The board has discussed “beyond the bond” opportunities for donors before, but noted that this was an exciting, more specific donation.  

The budget for the Whitefish High School expansion is on track with 38% spent or $13.7 million. The athletic project is about 65% complete, and the academic phase is about 35% finished. The wrestling room is tracking to be complete in mid-November.  

Owner’s representative Luke Hamman said there shouldn’t be any exposed openings to classrooms as winter approaches. The athletic field buildings should continue to see progress throughout the winter.  

“Aside from landscaping, things won't stop unless they have to,” he said.  

The contingencies are healthy, Hamman said. There are generally fewer contingency uses on the back end of the project than in the beginning, and there could be funds leftover that could affect options like the field’s scoreboard choice, he said. 

Whitefish High School Principal Kerry Drown noted synergy in the community with another successful homecoming. Nearly 3,000 people attended the football game and 400 students attended the dance. 

“An especially meaningful moment is seeing the entire kindergarten class meet at Muldown during the pep rally,” he said. “They meet the senior class, stretching all across the field. It’s a reminder of the educational journey our students take through our district.”