Helena Public Schools > Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | November 21, 2025
Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | November 21, 2025

Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

As much as I hate to admit it, the weather is starting to shift and temperatures are dropping, meaning that it’s a critical time to ensure that students are arriving at school with appropriate clothing and winter gear. This is essential for their health and comfort, especially during recess and while traveling to and from school. If your student needs a few items, please remember to check with your school’s counseling department. They often maintain a stock of clothing, coats, and winter gear available for students.

The same principle applies to finding support in other areas – check in with your school on what resources may be available for students and families who may need instances of help one way or another. Families can also find out more about community resources and donation events on the district’s Community Corner webpage. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, we are here to help and have your back.

This past week was filled with incredible activities and celebrations across the district:
• Bryant Artist in Residency: A week-long partnership with the Holter Museum and Helena Indian Alliance culminated in the completion of a beautiful mural that will be hung in the Bryant HUB.
• Great Conversations: District educators were honored at the Helena Education Foundation’s event for their incredible work and positive impact on students. It was a fantastic night of conversation and celebration.
• Donation Drives and Cat/Griz Spirit Gear: Schools across the district have started their donation drives, with some tapping into the healthy Montana rivalry spirit in preparation for the upcoming Cat/Griz game!

You can find pictures from these updates and more on our Facebook page!

And last thing real quick – The Board has approved Mosaic/Cushing Terrell for the Kessler Elementary rebuild project. Helena has an incredible amount of local architecture talent, which made the decision tough. However, the Board selected Mosaic/Cushing Terrell based on their mindfulness to the look and feel a building should have to its neighborhood, in combination with their leadership and knowledge of the nuances a rebuild takes.

You can find more bonds projects updates below – and make sure to take a look at the bonds (financial) update in particular.

Stay warm, and Go Griz!

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

 

BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES

Recap:

Bonds: The $31.5 million Helena ESD and $130.0 million Helena HSD that were advertised last week in the Independent Record and on our website, sold within 30 minutes of their offering (in $5,000 increments) through D.A. Davidson on November 20, 2025. Yields to investors ranged from 2.64% in 2028 to 4.54% in the final maturity in 2056.

The true interest cost rates on the 2025 Bond issues were favorable at 4.18% and 4.41%, respectively, which are lower than the 4.75% and 4.95% projected rates used for the taxpayer impact estimates at the time of the elections. The savings in interest costs (at 57% of the Bonds having been issued) was about $9.9 million.

After issuance of the 2025 Bonds, the Districts will have remaining unissued bond authorization up to $11,500,000 in the Elementary District and $110,000,000 in the HS District pending budget considerations for the building projects once final costs are known. The remaining Bonds are forecasted to be next issued in 2027 and 2028.

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 4 (11/16-11/22)

  • Internal Programming, Educational Specifications and Campus Master Planning progress
  • Community Open House for PAL & HHS – Nov. 18, 2025, 5:30-7pm, HHS Cafeteria
  • HHS Building Committee Meeting
CHS Project: Week 2 (11/16-11/22)
  • Community Surveys were developed and prepared to be sent
  • Space Utilization Analysis is underway.
  • Continuation of Capital High School existing background floorplans, elevations development
  • Communicated the explanation and responsibilities of the DAG (Design Advisory Group) process explaining expectations and outcomes
  • Established DAG timeline. There will be six (6) DAG meetings.
Kessler Project: Ground Zero (11/16-11/22)
  • Kessler Architect Interviews 11/18
  • Mosaic/Cushing Terrell Confirmed as Kessler architect at BOT Special Board Meeting 11/21

 

Up Next:

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 5 (11/23-11/29)

  • PAL Building Committee Meeting
  • PAL & HHS Area Model Review with District Administration
  • Offices Closed for Thanksgiving & Black Friday

CHS Project: Week 3 (11/23-11/29)

  • Capital High School existing background floorplans, elevations will be set up for the first DAG meeting
  • Design Advisory Group (DAG) prep continues for meeting #1 to be held December 2, 2025
  • Offices Closed for Thanksgiving & Black Friday

Kessler Project: Week 1 (11/23-11/29)

  • Mosaic/Cushing Terrell Introductions, Tours, and Conversations with Kessler staff at Kessler
  • Planning Meetings-
    •  Reviewed building systems outline with Hulteng for District wide compatibility.
If you have questions or want to chat about the choice and what’s next, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Keep up-to-date on the bonds projects as we enter into each
phase of the processes:

VISIT SITE

COMMUNITY CORNER

Resources for Students, Families, and the HPS Community

  • HPS THREE WAYS TO DONATE – partnership with Helena Food Share
    1. Community food pantries at each HPS school, in partnership with Helena Food Share
    2. Helena Food Share – food, money, volunteers
    3. HPS RevTrak Donations
  • RUNNING RESOURCE LIST ON OUR WEBPAGE
    • Resources for federal employees and military family affected by the government shutdown (and after)
    • Free and Reduced Lunch Program
    • Helena Area community resources
  • HPS SCHOOLS’ FOOD DRIVES AND OTHER RELATED EVENT LISTINGS (also listed on WEBPAGE)
  • CONTACT CENTER FOR QUESTIONS AND TO GET CONNECTED (WEBPAGE)

 

VIEW WEBPAGE

 

 

SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS AWARENESS REMINDER

 

DOWNLOAD THE FORM AND DONATE TODAY

 

WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?
November 22 – December 6, 2025

Saturday, November 22:

  • HHS GCCM RFQ/RFP Notice #3

Sunday, November 23:
Monday, November 24:

  • PAL Kiwanis Students of the Month (September and October) Recognized: Sean McClelland was recognized in September and Jacob Allick was selected for October – PAL
  • Broadwater Lower Montessori Heritage Fest

Tuesday, November 25:

  • PAL Thanksgiving Luncheon – PAL Commons
  • Central Heritage Feast – Central
  • Broadwater Pizza Party
  • BOT Work Session, 4:00 p.m. – Warren
  • CRA Orchestra Concert. 6:00 p.m. – HMS Auditorium

Wednesday, November 26: NO SCHOOL – THANKSGIVING BREAK

Thursday, November 27: NO SCHOOL – THANKSGIVING BREAK **District Office Closed

Friday, November 28: NO SCHOOL – THANKSGIVING BREAK **District Office Closed

Saturday, November 29:

Sunday, November 30:
Monday, December 1:

  • 4th and 5th grades to Nutcracker on the Rocks – Civic Center
  • PAL Info Night, 4:00 p.m. – PAL Commons
Tuesday, December 2:
  • BOT Policy Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • CHS Winter Orchestra Concert, 6:00 p.m. – CHS Auditorium
  • HEF Great Idea Spark Grants Due
Wednesday, December 3:
Thursday, December 4:
  • CHS Advance Orchestra – Capitol Rotunda
  • Central Elementary Christmas Market, 6:30 p.m. – Central Cafeteria
Friday, December 5: **Records Day – Elementary Noon Release
  • HHS Shakespeare in the Schools Play, Richard III
  • HHS Winter Activity Kick-Off, 5:00 p.m. – HHS Gym
Saturday, December 6:
  • The Magic Flute, W.A. Mozart (Recorded Encore) (Ironhorse partnership)

 

If we missed something, please let us know – helenamtschools@helenaschools.org. As a good rule of thumb, always check with your school on what they have going on. You can also find upcoming event information and more in this year’s calendar online at https://helenaschools.org/25-26-calendar-flipbook/.