Hamilton votes to give board authority to sell middle school

Preliminary results show Hamilton Public School District voters favoring giving the school board authority to sell the Hamilton Middle School pod.

As of Wednesday morning the vote was 4,271 in favor and 2,777 against, with seven precincts reporting.

Early results indicate the board will now have the option to vote on what to do with the facility. School officials previously told the Ravalli Republic the building is old and no longer fits their needs as it was built in the '70s for welding and auto-repair classes and overflow from the main building. The majority of classrooms don't have windows — with teachers using lamps, plants and covering the fluorescent lights on the ceiling with pictures of clouds in the sky to make the space inviting.

If the board votes to sell the building and finds a buyer, the money from the sale could offset costs of renovating existing property or building a new facility. The board previously tabled making a decision about which firm to work with on potential construction until after the election.

The school board has previously considered working with the Montana based A&E Design, which has constructed new schools in Townsend and Belgrade, according to their website . But the board tabled discussion until after the election.

Board Chairperson Patrick Hanley said in an interview Wednesday the middle school would be an agenda item at the board's next regular meeting.

Hanley said the board has not discussed a timeline for moving forward, but thinks possible options would include new construction, renovating an existing property or a mix of both. He said a mix of both is most likely, but the district has done all three in its history.

"The best solution gives us the best value for our money," he said.

Hanley said potential properties may include Westview School, Washington Elementary and even the existing middle school.

Middle School Principal Andrea Gray told the Ravalli Republic Wednesday she's looking forward to getting into the details of what comes next, acknowledging the decision is in the board's hands now.

"I'm excited that we have what seems to me to be overwhelming community support for our students," she said. "It makes my heart happy."

The board technically didn't have to put the decision before voters. When it comes to selling district property, board members have the discretion to make the choice through a resolution. But Hanley previously said that's a move better suited for property that's been abandoned, which doesn't apply here, adding it's best to get community input for decisions surrounding buildings.

In May of 2023, more than 60% of voters rejected the $71 million bond proposed by the district, which would have funded a new middle school, a new bus barn and maintenance shop, improvements at the high school, and pay for the sale and insurance of the bonds.

An additional levy proposed last year also failed with more than 60% against, which would have been used to improve the budget, maintain programs, class sizes, and opportunities to innovate, and provide funding for facilities maintenance, recruiting and retaining staff.

Hanley thanked the community for the support.

"Thanks for giving us this authority to help figure out a good solution going forward for the middle school," he said.

Nicole Girten is the education reporter for the Ravalli Republic.

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