POLSON — Polson school officials are asking residents to vote on two school bonds this December to renovate district buildings that were built around half a century ago.
The combined bonds cost a total of $61 million with Polson School District Superintended Rex Weltz saying the money would be used to update the deteriorating school buildings.
“We have 18 buildings, and quite frankly, they are not adequate for 21st century learning,” Weltz said. “We have buildings that are 70, 47, and 58 years old, and they need updating. We’ve allowed ourselves to live and work in these environments that are not adequate for what our kids need today.”
Linderman Elementary was built in 1948, and Weltz says the need for a new heating and cooling system is high, and so is the need for an upgraded emergency alarm system.
Weltz also said that the libraries are no longer the standard book and homework space it used to be, but instead, it’s becoming a media space. He says students need to be learning in a modern environment, so they can compete for jobs in the real world.
Safety is also a top priority in the bonds.
“Our educational philosophy is to get all kids under one roof and secure. That’s a big push in our district right now,” Weltz said. “…But also, our mission is to keep a really great, safe environment for our kids. We are not able to do that as well as we could, unless we go out and get some help.”
If the bonds pass, then homeowners with a house valued at $200,000 would see a tax increase per year of $310. The ballots will be mailed out Nov. 13 and must be returned by Dec. 3.
