Billings School Board Considers bond Options for High School Improvements
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BILLINGS – The Billings School Board is actively seeking public input on three potential bond measures designed to address long-overdue improvements to the city’s high schools.The proposed bonds, ranging from $88 million to $242 million, aim to modernize facilities and ensure safe, effective learning environments for students.
Addressing Decades of Deferred Maintenance
Superintendent Erwin Garcia emphasized the urgent need for these investments, noting that many of the high school facilities are approaching a century old. “Many of these investments were made 100 years ago,” Garcia stated. “It is time for us to reassess where we are with those investments.” the proposed bonds represent a proactive approach to prevent further deterioration and escalating repair costs.
Bond Option Breakdown
The school board is presenting three distinct bond options to the community, each with varying levels of investment and associated costs for homeowners:
- Option 1: $88.8 million – This option, the most conservative, would cost the owner of a $300,000 home approximately $39.78 annually in property taxes. it focuses on essential deferred maintenance and safety improvements, including roof repairs, pavement upgrades, and electrical system fixes.
- Option 2: $199.6 million – With an annual cost of $94.46 for a $300,000 homeowner, this option builds upon the first by adding academic upgrades. These enhancements include improvements to school auditoriums, HVAC systems, and gymnasiums.
- Option 3: $241.8 million – The most extensive option, costing $115.56 annually for a $300,000 homeowner, encompasses athletic upgrades in addition to the improvements included in the first two options. Proposed athletic enhancements include improvements to weight rooms and locker rooms.
Community Feedback and Concerns
The school board is prioritizing community engagement and actively soliciting feedback on the proposed bond options. Superintendent Garcia stated, “We want to ask the public what the public would be willing to support.”
Though, some residents have expressed concerns about the financial implications of the bonds. Billings resident Geoff Sloan voiced opposition to all three options, citing the increased property tax burden. “They’re asking for a lot of money,” Sloan said, adding that the increased costs come at a challenging time for many families. he suggested exploring alternative budget management strategies.
Justification for Bond Funding
Superintendent Garcia argues that bonds are the most viable funding mechanism for these critical improvements. He emphasized that delaying these repairs will only lead to higher costs in the future. “Right now, there’s no other mechanism under the state of Montana except to go to taxpayers and ask,” Garcia explained. “That’s why we need to take care of the issue now, either passively or actively.”
Timeline and Next Steps
The school board plans to present the bond options to voters in 2027, deliberately avoiding competition with a concurrent Yellowstone County jail expansion bond planned for this fall. The board will continue to gather public feedback in the coming months to refine the proposals and ensure they align with community priorities.
Published: 2026/01/07 04:40:30