High school bond passes

Bigfork School District taxpayers overwhelmingly approved a $14 million bond request Friday.

Unofficial results showed that 1,810 favored the bond issue and 955 opposed it in the mail-ballot election, which produced a 64 percent voter turnout.

The next step is to draw up construction plans and “get to work,” said Bigfork Superintendent Matt Jensen.

“We’re hopeful at least the first phase of construction can start this summer,” Jensen said.

Jensen said a lot of work went into reaching out to residents and taxpayers about the bond issue and proposed high school renovation project.

“There’s been a great community group of parents and community members that have taken their own time to spread the facts about the proposal,” Jensen said.

As a result of the vote, owners of a $200,000 home can anticipate taxes to increase by $69.54 annually. For owners of $300,000 homes, annual taxes should increase by $104.31. These numbers were calculated based on 2014 mill values.

The bond will fund approximately 24,000 square feet of new construction plus renovation of the existing building in addition to the wood and auto shop building.

The proposed project includes eight new classrooms, four locker rooms, a gym expansion and library relocation to the first floor. The building will also be brought up to fire and safety codes and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The last time approval was sought for a high school bond request was in 2008. Voters defeated that $11.1 million request.