How do I get a ballot to vote?
All registered voters in the Eureka Elementary School District will receive a ballot in the mail. Be sure to check out the "Voter Information" page on this site to make sure you are a registered voter.
Why is the bond needed?
The current elementary and junior high school buildings have outgrown their lifespan. Increasing maintenance costs each year puts less dollars into the educational environment. In order to address needs throughout the District voters will be asked to approve a 25 year Bond proposal that raises $22,550,000 to improve the learning environment and opportunities for our children.
Can you renovate the existing Middle School for less money? Why spend more?
The most significant concern with the existing Middle School continues to be student and staff safety and security. Schools nationwide have aggressively "hardened" their facilities to achieve these means. As the Middle School building continues to age and is isolated location from the main campus building, there is no way to effectively provide real-time supervision and control of who comes and goes from the district buildings. Costs to renovate the building will cost more than constructing new.
Why can't we fix up what we have?
The cost of maintaining the building continues to grow each year. Bring the existing Middle School up to current buildings standards and code is large and complicated process. The costs are related to the structural requirement and modern safety standards.
Will a new practice football field be constructed.
No, a new practice football field will not be constructed with these funds.
Why do you continue to spend money on the existing "OLD" building when your are just going to get rid of them?
We have yet to determine if the election will pass, so the responsibility is to ensure the buildings are taken care of in the same way we care for the rest of the District. We also heard the conversation if we would not have been taking care of these buildings, we could be questioned on if we have made them deliberately look haggard.
If we build these buildings, will you be able to handle growth in the student population?
The new buildings and interior renovations will allow flexibility at all grade levels, form Kindergarten to 8th Grade. We will also include flexible classrooms for those larger class sizes and allow room for growth.
When is the election?
The election will be May 5, 2026. The vote will be done by mail in ballots. The ballots will be mailed out at the beginning of ??? and must be returned by May ???. Voting information including polling locations, voter registration applications, applications for absentee ballot, and voting criteria can be found at the Lincoln County County Elections webpage, http://lincolncountymt.us/elections/elections-home
Why should I pay for schools when I don't have kids in School?
If you ever had kids in school or were a public school student yourself, people before you paid for the schools you and/or your child(ren) attended. Similarly, the current residents of the Eureka School District help pay for the schools we have now and those we build and improve in the future throughout the time they live here. As new residents move into the District's attendance area, they assume these taxes as well.
Do Trego and Fortine residents pay for this bond?
This is an Eureka Elementary School Bond. So only residents that reside in the Eureka Elementary School District will be paying for this bond. This does not include property owners in the Trego and Fortine Elementary School Districts.
What year were the Eureka Elementary School and Eureka Junior High Buildings built?
The Eureka Elementary was constructed in 1957, with a various additions in the mid 1960's during construction of the Libby Dam. The Eureka Junior High Building was constructed in 1939, with various additions in the mid 1960's during construction of the Libby Dam.
Are the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems original to the construction of the buildings?
Yes, these systems are obsolete now, and require many dollars to repair or replace. Many parts are not available now, and must be custom made at high costs. The time to get these things made can be weeks, forcing teachers to change classrooms, or have no heat for days.