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Sign up 12/15/2025 The Helena school board will vote next month on whether to approve new boundary lines that determine which schools students attend.  The proposal, first introduced by Superintendent Rex Weltz and Assistant Superintendent Josh McKay earlier this year, aims to address Helena’s growth and provide equitable education by balancing the student population across the district, particularly in the high schools and middle schools, according to district officials. “[The] reason to make the shift is to ensure the equal student educational opportunities remain an option at each high school and middle school,” McKay said during a previous school board meeting. “If we don’t make the change, students on one side of town will have more class opportunities than the other side of town.” Specifically, the school district is seeking to shift current boundary lines from east to west, mainly redistributing students in both high schools and middle schools, as well as Bryant, Four Georgians, Jim Darcy, Rossiter and Warren elementary schools, according to the proposed plans.  Additionally, changing the attendance boundaries is necessary as the district progresses with its plans to rebuild Helena High and Kessler Elementary, and renovate Capital High, following the passage of a historic $283 million facilities bond by voters in September, according to Weltz. “Nobody wants to talk about boundaries, but we had to,” Weltz said during last week’s meeting. “If we’re going to build a new high school, then we need to know how many students are going to occupy it.” Capital High School’s current boundary area is significantly larger than Helena High’s and encompasses areas outside of Helena, extending into the rural areas of Lewis and Clark County, including Wolf Creek, Craig, Willborn, Canyon Creek, Marysville and Remini.  As of Oct. 6, fall enrollment totals show Capital High School has 1,369 students, while Helena High has 982. If the school board agrees to implement the proposed boundary adjustments, Helena High could see an increase of 136 students.  C.R. Anderson Middle School has 927 students, while Helena Middle School has 723. With the adjustments, approximately 90 students are expected to transition from C.R. Anderson to HMS over time. Of the listed elementary schools, Four Georgians Elementary would see the most significant shift, with approximately 70 students potentially moving to Rossiter.  The proposed plans state that, if approved, the district would conduct a gradual transition beginning at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Students would have the option to stay in their current schools, but bus routes would change.  Students will also have the option to follow their siblings in the same attendance area, but parents will need to either arrange for their children to use an alternative bus route or accommodate their transportation needs. The district has created a platform on its website for the public to provide feedback and ask questions. The board of trustees is expected to vote on the proposal during its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Lincoln Center, 1335 Poplar St., at 5:30 p.m. Public Notice  The United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area is hosting a free training Monday, Dec. 15, as part of the community-driven Helena Emergency Shelter Program, comprised of the United Way, the Tri-County COAD and the city of Helena. The program aims to provide temporary overnight warming shelters for the homeless population during extreme winter weather, according to Jeff Buscher, United Way’s community impact coordinator. United Way, which is leading the program initiative, is securing shelter locations around the Helena area and will seek and prepare a volunteer team to staff the shelters. The training will be held at the United Way Conference Room, 75 E. Lyndale Ave., from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those interested in participating can contact Buscher at [email protected]. The city will host its annual Open Lands Major Projects listening session Thursday, Dec. 18, to discuss projects at the city’s recreational areas. Projects can be found on the Be Heard Helena website, and public comment is encouraged. The event will take place at the City-County Building, via Zoom, starting at 5:30 p.m. The Montana Department of Administration’s General Services Division is asking the public to provide input regarding plans for the former Governor’s Mansion at 2 Carson St. The mansion has been vacant since 2021 and has a number of major renovation needs, according to a KTVH story. The survey can be accessed here and will remain open until Friday, Dec. 19, 5 p.m. 5 Things to Know in Helena  Last Monday, the city commission agreed to a contract with Bozeman-based RR Taylor Construction for approximately $5.9 million to build the city’s third fire station. The city received nine bids for the project, all of which, including RR Taylor’s, came in over the $6 million budget. RR Taylor’s original bid was within 5% of the budgeted amount, and after negotiations with the project architects and city staff, the current contract amount was settled, according to Community Facilities Manager Bridget Johnston. Johnston said during last week’s meeting that RR Taylor will begin work immediately and is confident of completing the fire station by spring 2027.  City staff also provided an update during last week’s commission meeting regarding the timeline to fill the open commission seat made available when Emily Dean was elected mayor. The commission closed its acceptance of applications Dec. 10. The city aims to conduct its first round of interviews Monday, Dec. 29. The second round of interviews will be held on Friday, Jan. 2, and the final selection will be made Monday, Jan. 5. During a school board meeting last week, the Helena School Board of Trustees approved conducting a mail-ballot election on May 5 to select four board trustees. Additionally, the school district may consider asking voters to increase the existing perpetual technology levy amount, which currently generates approximately $1 million annually. Although no official vote was taken and no details were discussed, if approved, the levy would have a 10-year term, running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2035. Helena Public Schools Superintendent Rex Weltz also provided an update on the district’s future plans for its vacant buildings, including the May Butler building and the former Hawthorne Elementary school. The district is seeking proposals to potentially sell or enter into a long-term lease agreement for the buildings by Jan. 9. However, during the meeting, Weltz said that these proposals serve more as “surveys” to gauge potential plans for the properties. The board will discuss the submitted proposals at its next meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The estate of Paul Rolfes, the man who was killed by Helena police at The Jesters Bar last year, filed a lawsuit against the city of Helena and several police officers last week, according to an IR report. The lawsuit alleges that the involved officers violated Rolf’s constitutional rights by improperly handling a mental health emergency. The estate is requesting a jury trial.  For The Record  Gov. Greg Gianforte has claimed a homestead tax exemption for his property in Bozeman, which is designated as his primary residence. The claim appears to contradict the state Constitution, which requires the governor to “reside” in Helena. The governor’s office referred to a pending Department of Revenue rule that provides an exception for residents who are absent from their homes for work assignments. The tax claim has sparked scrutiny from Montana Democrats. You can read the story by MTFP’s Eric Dietrich here.  Might Be Fun  The Premiere Dance Company will present showings of the Nutcracker on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m., at the Helena Civic Center. Tickets range from $17 to $40.50, and can be purchased on the civic center’s website here.  By The Numbers The highest wind gust recorded last week in the Helena area at MacDonald Pass on Wednesday, Dec. 10, according to the National Weather Service. At the airport, the gusts reached 59 mph. The highest gust in the state last week was recorded at Deep Creek on the Blackfeet Nation at a blustery 101 mph Dec. 8.  Comings and Goings Coming: National food chain Jersey Mike’s Sub is set to open in Helena Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 2024 Cromwell Dixon Lane. According to an IR report, the grand opening will feature a fundraiser for the Helena Food Share, which will run until Sunday, Dec. 21. Eye on Helena  Carroll College is decorated with holiday lights on Dec. 11, 2025. Credit: Lauren Miller / Montana Free Press, CatchLight Local/Report for America Want to have your photo featured in Helena This Week? Send your submissions to [email protected]. The post What school will your child attend next year? appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less