The Shields Valley Elementary School Bond

On Tuesday, November 4^th, residents of the Shields Valley School District, comprising portions of both Park and Gallatin counties, will vote on a bond designated to fund key renovations and adjustments to Wilsall Elementary School—in effect, improving student safety and security, top priorities for YES to Shields Valley Kids, a political action committee (PAC) whose challenging mission it is to advocate the bond on all fronts through education and outreach in an agrarian, self-reliant community.

Some of the facilities, home to 13 teachers, seven support staff employees and dozens of students, were built during the 19^th century nearly 130 years ago. “The school was built before the Titanic sunk,” explained Yes to Shields Valley Kids organizer Matt Swan.

The existing infrastructure, as one might expect, is deteriorating in haste, posing health and safety risks to both children and adults alike—dysfunctional boilers, outdated plumbing, and dilapidated structures lead to poor heating, unsanitary conditions, unsafe pathways between school buildings, and general discomfort. Distracted students struggle to focus in frigid classrooms, even with space heaters, and are exposed to weather and hazardous conditions.

“Last year a steam pipe collapsed in the building. What if a student had been standing underneath it?”, Swan exclaimed.

During Spring 2025, school board members proposed two 10-million-dollar bonds, one each for funding improvements to both Wilsall Elementary and Clyde Park High School—two separate districts with joint administrative oversight. The initial proposal, however, was rejected by the community due to overall costs. “The bond was too expensive considering increased property values [in the Shields Valley],” Swan said.

The dire need to address significant concerns regarding the elementary school, however, was an urgent matter. The school board then set out to gather feedback from community members about what precisely the bond should prioritize. They initiated a survey effort and attended local gatherings to seek input. What resulted was a new strategy for packaging the bond: 10.5 million dollars dedicated solely to Wilsall elementary school, saving taxpayers nearly half of what was originally proposed.

The campus currently consists of two structures: the original white building, slated for demolition, and the red building, constructed during the 1960s, which would be renovated and supplemented with several new features.

Renovations are extensive; mechanical, electrical and fiber systems will be upgraded, including improved lighting, wireless internet access and air circulation throughout the building; existing restrooms and the kitchen will be remodeled to meet modern health and safety standards; new classroom facilities for 3^rd and 4^th, as well as 5^th and 6^th grade students will be added to the first and second floor, respectively; library renovations and a new multi-purpose classroom for art and music will be included, increasing student resource accessibility to accommodate students with various learning styles, potentially boosting educational outcomes; gymnasium and locker room updates will ensure ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance; the windows and roof will be also replaced.

This new orientation would also simplify traffic flow by separating drop-off and pick-up lanes for buses and parents, increasing overall safety and resolving frustrating conflicts experienced almost daily.

The approach is designed to eliminate student travel and administrative supervision between two buildings, reduce operational expenses and enhance accessibility for those with disabilities—a consolidated design conducive for greater cost efficiency, staff collaboration, and student safety and security, ultimately fortifying the school district’s budget with numerous benefits extended to all. Some construction, according to the school district, would begin in late Spring 2026, though major renovations would be delayed until Spring 2027 due to requisite planning.

“Everything is just about ready to go. The due diligence has been completed. The money invested into engineering studies and architectural design would be a waste of school district money if the bond fails,” says Swan.

According to the ballot measure, if the bond election passes, “based on the taxable value of the Elementary District, the property taxes on a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $100,000 are estimated to increase by $58.39 in the first year (i.e., $4.87 monthly); of $300,000 are estimated to increase by $175.17 in the first year (i.e., $14.61 monthly); and of $500,000 are estimated to increase by $318.07 in the first year (i.e., $24.35 monthly). An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs,” the terms of which would remain in effect for not more than 25 years. The estimated number of overall mils is 76.83.

Recent state legislation, specifically Montana’s 2025 “Right Back Act,” is an extension of the 2023 HB 587 equalization framework, a law returning excess revenue from the unform 95-mil school property levy directly back to homeowners—reducing the overall burden on taxpayers with statewide relief totaling 50 to 60 million dollars annually. In other words, prior to this legislation, the same bond amount now costs local taxpayers 40% less (e.g., previously, residential property with a taxable value of 100,000 to fund the bond was $1,350 versus the current $760 figure—reduced from $7.78, translating to $2.91 in monthly savings for taxpayers).

Though the school board compromised on renovations to Clyde Park High School via bond, an active capital campaign was launched to raise supplemental funding strictly reserved for various project-based improvements contingent on available resources. To date, the campaign has raised between 1.3 and 1.5 million dollars ($500,000 from Crazy Mountain Ranch, their largest donor). The district intends to use such funding for repairing the gymnasium roof, upgrading windows, and other targeted projects as money becomes available through continued contributions. However, this funding cannot replace or reduce the bond amount, if passed, and money raised through the campaign is obtainable only given the elementary school bond passes in November. Donors have expressed interest in contributing more funding depending on district commitment.

“If the community is not vested in this [bond], then donors might pull their money. They want to be sure that the people impacted are committed,” Swan explained.

The bond, the PAC claims, strengthens schools, which serve as a community hub for recreation, emergencies and other important events, and is the only practical means for funding facility needs, as no state or federal grants exists for this purpose. Passing this bond, furthermore, not only benefits the elementary school, but simultaneously serves the high school and community at a lower cost and taxpayer impact than previous bonds.

“I think this is going to be a tight election,” says Swan. “There are just about 1,000 people voting. It’s the only issue on the ballot. Three for four votes may make the difference. But I think if people are aware of the school district’s needs and the impact of this bond, it would receive overwhelming support.”

“A bond for the [school] district has not been passed for 23 years. The district has only held two bonds since the white building was built in 1911. Both bonds passed with community support. Last spring was the first time a bond had failed in our district,” says Treasurer Mandi Swandel.

For more information or to assist Yes for Shields Valley Kids with their efforts, please contact Treasurer Mandi Swandel (mandi.achten@rocky.edu), Deputy Treasurer Carl Bernsten (carlbernsten@gmail.com), or Deputy Treasurer Matt Swan (swanmatt@yahoo.com).

You can also visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574796267971.