Frequently Asked Questions
What do the bonds do?
Voters will be asked to approve two bonds on September 9, 2025: the high school bond that rebuilds Helena High, provides critical upgrades to Capital High and PAL (Project for Alternative Learning), and rebuilds the district’s outdated central kitchen. A separate elementary school bond will rebuild Kessler Elementary, which was built in 1936 and suffers from deteriorating infrastructure leading to poor heating, air quality, ventilation, and lighting. Fortunately, the site allows for a rebuild without disrupting current Kessler students during the school year.
Unlike levies, bonds are for buildings and the funds raised from these two bonds can only be used for structural upgrades, repairs, or rebuilds. They can not be spent in any other way.
Why now?
Helena has not passed a high school bond in 28 years. Helena High has a failing 70-year-old boiler, and if it fails, Helena High students will be forced to share Capital High. That leaves 2,400 students splitting days, some starting school early in the morning and others learning late into the evening. We must ask now to show our students we care.
What will these bonds cost me?
The proposed bond would cost approximately $12 per month for every $200,000 in home value, which pays for a new Helena High School we can all be proud of and critical upgrades to Capital High School. A separate bond to rebuild Kessler Elementary will only cost $2 per month for every $200,000 in home value, a smart investment in the safety and opportunities of our students. Waiting any longer means addressing potentially catastrophic infrastructure failures and risking increased costs in the future.
What happens if these bonds don’t pass?
If either or both of these bonds fail, several Helena schools will continue to deteriorate, and it’s a matter of when, not if, Helena High’s 70-year-old boiler fails. Critical repairs and upgrades to ensure safety and security will continue to grow in cost over the next several years, leaving voters with an ever higher price tag if we kick the can down the road. We must act now because our students deserve safe, secure, modern buildings that give us all pride in our community and help attract and retain families and businesses to Helena.
For more detailed information and additional FAQs, visit the district’s informational website.
HelenaSchoolBond.org