‘Vote yes!’: Over 100 supporters rally for upcoming Helena Public Schools bonds
Bearing signs and chanting, “The time is now,” over 100 people urged the public to vote in favor of a Helena Public Schools bond in a Monday street rally.
“Vote yes!” attendees shouted on cue. Kids with campaign stickers across their chests held up a banner behind a propped-up microphone.
The rally centers on an upcoming $283 million bond, which will be voted on Sept. 9 by the public. Ballots will be mailed out Aug. 22.
The bond would rebuild Helena High School, renovate Capital High School and rebuild Kessler Elementary School. In costs, owners of a $100,000 home would see about $85 more in taxes annually, a $300,000 home would see about $260 more annually, and on a $500,000 home, there’d be roughly $470 more annually.
The campaign pushing for the vote is called Yes! for Helena Schools.
An aging boiler threatens to combine Helena and Capital high schools, putting the schools on a split shift that would “wreak havoc,” speakers said.
Bugs and mice infestations interrupt class, Helena High social studies teacher Lauren Gustafson said.
Poor ventilation makes classrooms so hot, science experiments can’t be held. In the winter, she has students bundled in blankets. With too small a cafeteria, she’s seen students eat in hallways, classrooms and corners of the campus.
Helena High student Brock Gardipee, a National Honor Society member and varsity soccer player, said he felt embarrassed when visiting teams saw the state of his school.
“Most of us can’t vote, so we need you to do it for us,” Gardipee said.
Throughout the rally, over 100 attendees spilled onto the road in front of Helena High. A semi drove by and honked in support.
While parents, students and teachers call for improvements, Helena Public Schools’ history shows the public is less enthusiastic.
It’s been 28 years since Helena Public Schools passed a high school bond, campaigners report. In 2024, voters shot down three levies meant to improve technology and safety and offset a $2 million budget deficit.
In the following months, 38 positions across Helena Public Schools were cut to handle the deficit. Some frustrated commenters said voters weren’t willing to help.
“The public had the ability to control this result,” one teacher said when cuts were approved. “The teachers have no choice. The public did.”
Part of the push is getting voters to realize the impacts of schools on Helena at large, campaign committee board member Rachel Howard said.
Callie Aschim, Helena Area Chamber of Commerce’s president and CEO, told rallygoers that good schools bring good business.
When schools are strong, they push Helena’s students to be better and bring their better futures back to their hometown, she said.
If the schools aren’t attractive, Helena’s families may choose to go elsewhere, she added.
Combining the high schools would make after-school programs “almost impossible,” Helena High head football coach and PE teacher Dane Broadhead said.
Traffic would double around Capital High School, and new pickup and drop-off times could clash with parents’ work schedules and commute.
Over a dozen student-athletes attended the rally, bearing their team memorabilia. Students organized on their own, Broadhead said.
“They care,” he said. “They’re driving this themselves.”
After the rally, volunteers will knock on doors, make phone calls and hand out yard signage, Howard said. The board has raised $76,000, she said, and she estimates hundreds of hours have gone into the campaign.A website, yesforhelenaschools.com, was created to gather donations and explain the cause.