OPTIONS? | TRUSTEES HAVE NO BACKUP PLAN IF CENTRAL DEMOLITION IS DENIED

After the Helena School Board of Trustees voted to cancel the proposed bond election on July 15, it must now decide what to do if the city commission does not approve the demolition of Central School, upon which the proposal hinges.

The cancellation of the bond was meant to allow the commission time to make a decision regarding the demolition of Central School and Seventh Avenue Gym, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The board canceled the bond because it legally cannot “postpone” an election, but trustees have stated that they will put forward the same bond language for an election if the city approves demolition.

Read more at the IR 

The Helena School Board on Tuesday voted to cancel the bond proposal it approved June 25 as the Helena City Commission considers whether to allow the demolition of Central Elementary School and Seventh Avenue Gymnasium on the same site.

Read more at the Helena IR 

Helena School District trustees on Tuesday will consider whether to move forward with a bond election planned for Oct. 7 or delay it until an important piece of their plan for Central School is resolved.

The proposal to build a new school on the Central School site is part of a broader plan that includes consolidating it with Bryant Elementary School, renovating Warren Elementary School and providing a technology center at each of these schools. Significant improvements for middle schools would be delayed until a later planning phase, according to a 65-page handout provided by Superintendent Kent Kultgen.

Because Central School and the Seventh Avenue Gymnasium are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, their demolition would require Helena City Commission approval.

Read more at the Helena IR