Dear Families and Staff,

With just five short weeks until the bond election, I am asking for your help to get the word out so that Helena voters receive accurate information on the bond.  I am deeply appreciative of the fact that, as subscribers to my weekly update, you take the time to hear directly from me on what’s happening in our school district, even during the summer months when school is out, school news is usually at a low ebb, and folks are enjoying all that Montana summers have to offer as I do.

This summer is different.  The bond election is on September 9.  Voters will be receiving their mail-in ballots a few weeks from now, and as you know, in the run up to any school district election, the school district is responsible for communicating the reasons why an election has been called.  You and I both know that it’s very important that voters receive accurate facts.  That’s why I need your help in my effort to ensure that Helena voters have the information they need to make informed decisions.

Here are several ways that voters can get the facts behind the trustees’ decision to ask the Helena community to consider building a new Helena High School, remodel Capital High School and build a new Kessler Elementary School.  Please pass this information on to your friends and family.

First, go to the source!  We’ve have added extensive information to this page of our website at https://www.helenaschoolbond.org/ in order to offer voters accurate details on the current state of our facilities as well as our proposed building plans and timeline.

Better yet, see for yourself!  Folks can take tours of the schools to see firsthand their current condition and learn what changes are planned.  The following tours are scheduled for August. The tours run from 11:30-1:30 and include a free sack lunch.  Folks can RSVP to 406-442-4120 or info@helenachamber.com to make sure we have a sack lunch for everyone attending.

•          August 5 – Capital High School
•          August 12 – Helena High School
•          August 19 – Kessler Elementary School

Or, get the best of both worlds!  Enjoy a casual summer evening and get the information you are looking for by stopping in between 4-6 pm at these local breweries to learn more about the bond.

•          August 5 – Brothers Tapworks
•          August 12 – Speakeasy 41
•          August 19 – Ten Mile Creek Brewery
•          August 26 – Speakeasy 41

And finally, I’m available!  Please let folks know that they can contact me.  I would like to engage in conversation about the bond and would be happy to visit organizations, service groups, church groups, book clubs or have coffee with individuals or groups.  To schedule a conversation or a visit, please contact Candice Delvaux at 406-324-2026 or cdelvaux@helenaschools.org

Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for helping get information out to voters by organizing both the tours and the brewery evenings.  And, thank you for joining this effort!

Respectfully,

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

This chart illustrates the project timeline.  In order for students to begin the 2028 school year in the new facilities, the bond proposal needs to be put before the voters by September 9, 2025.

Current condition of some of the spaces at Helena High School and Kessler School.  The bond proposal will rebuild both schools.

Current kitchen at Capital High School which is used to prepare all the food provided to schools across the district.  The bond proposal includes complete renovation of the district kitchen.