Starting to look like schools!
April 19, 2019
The gym floor is ready to be placed at Central School. We're working on paint, siding, glass, and front doors. We recently received a grant from Growing Friends to pay for trees at all three of the new schools.
Central School demolition moving forward
July 22, 2017
Helena Public Schools will move forward with demolishing Central School starting with asbestos abatement and removal of salvageable pieces of the historic building.
Central School is slated to be demolished and rebuilt as part of a $63 million bond passed in May, but work was delayed by a lawsuit. After a judge dismissed the case to keep the district from tearing down the school last month, Superintendent Jack Copps said the district will put out bids for demolition on Aug. 1.
Helena school board gets update on new school projects
June 13, 2017
The Helena school board got an update Tuesday night on the preparations to build three new elementary schools. Trustees also approved about $900,000 to purchase land around two of those school sites.
It all comes just over a month after voters overwhelmingly approved a $63 million bond issue. The bond will pay for new Central, Bryant and Jim Darcy Schools, along with security and technology improvements at the district’s other elementary and middle schools. Four separate architecture firms are handling those projects.
Land purchases approved for new Bryant, Jim Darcy schools
June 14, 2017
The Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved the purchase of several properties that will be used for the construction of new schools.
Helena overwhelmingly voted for a $63 million bond to rebuild Central, Jim Darcy and Bryant elementary schools. They will be the first Helena schools built since Four Georgians Elementary was constructed 40 years ago. All three buildings are slated to be completed in time for school in 2019.
Thanks from Helena school board
May 05, 2017
The Helena School Board of Trustees would like to express our profound gratitude to all of those who helped to pass the recent school bond. We know that Helena has always been a special place to live and excellent schools are part of that legacy. Whether you donated money to the campaign, volunteered to make calls, knocked on doors, wrote letters, participated in a honk and wave, attended an informational meeting, planted a sign in your yard or business, voted “YES” on your ballot or encouraged other people to do the same, YOU are responsible for Helena’s first major generational investment in its schools in over 40 years!
Voters In Bozeman, Helena And Missoula Approve School Funds
May 03, 2017
Three Montana cities have passed school bonds for construction, including a $125 million bond in Bozeman to build a new high school and remodel the current one.
About 65 percent of voters in the Bozeman High School district approved the bond, the largest ever requested of area voters.
The district hopes to break ground on the new high school next spring and have it ready to open by the fall of 2020. The current high school has about 2,000 students - making it the largest school in the state - and the city's population is growing.
Bozeman, Helena and East Helena pass school bonds for new construction
May 03, 2017
Three Montana cities have passed school bonds for construction, including a $125 million bond in Bozeman to build a new high school and remodel the current one.
School districts throughout the state held elections Tuesday to choose school board members and request operating levies.
Helena, East Helena voters approve elementary school bonds
May 02, 2017
Voters in the Helena and East Helena School Districts have overwhelmingly backed the districts’ plans to build new elementary schools.
In Helena, more than 73 percent of voters supported a $63 million bond issue that will pay for three new schools to replace Central, Bryant and Jim Darcy Elementary.
Historic Central School has been closed since 2013 because of concerns over earthquake safety. Bryant’s current building is nearly 80 years old and suffering from a number of structural issues. Administrators at Jim Darcy said the school doesn’t have enough room to keep up with the population growth in the north Helena Valley.
The bond will also provide security and technology upgrades at all the district’s elementary and middle schools.
Helena bond proposal would bring three new schools, improvements to ten more
April 17, 2017
When Brian Cummings became principal at Jim Darcy Elementary School almost 12 years ago, it had around 250 students.
“At that time, it was just the point of this significant increase of young families living north of Lincoln Road,” said Cummings. “The enrollment just exploded.”
Today, more than 900 students live in the north end of the Helena Valley. 400 of them attend Jim Darcy.
Cummings says every classroom at the school is at capacity. He says the crowding is especially noticeable in the hallways.
