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Celebrating Successful Payoff of Glacier High School Bond at 20th Anniversary Event

Glacier High School Commemorates 20-Year Anniversary & Bond Pay Back

Community leaders, alumni, and students gather to commemorate fulfilled promise to taxpayers

Kalispell Public Schools today celebrated a significant milestone in fiscal responsibility and community investment as district leaders, alumni, and current students gathered to commemorate the successful payoff of the $37.3 million bond that built Glacier High School.

The special reception, held at Glacier High School to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the initial bond passing, honored Flathead Valley taxpayers whose 2004 vote of confidence created what has become a cornerstone of education in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley.

"This celebration represents a promise kept to our community," said Matt Jensen, Superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools. "Twenty years ago, taxpayers invested in a vision for education that continues to pay dividends for our students and community today. The successful retirement of this bond demonstrates our commitment to fiscal responsibility while delivering exceptional educational opportunities that directly benefit our students, local workforce, and broader Flathead Valley."

The original $37.3 million bond, approved by voters in 2004, funded construction of a state-of-the-art facility designed with progressive, research-based learning principles. The school opened its doors in 2007 to 1,200 students and has since become an integral part of the Flathead Valley's educational landscape – graduating more than 6,000 students since opening.

The commemorative golden shovel from the original groundbreaking was rededicated as a symbol of the successful payoff. It will be displayed at Glacier High School with a plaque honoring the community's investment and the successful bond retirement.

EVENT SPEAKERS:

  • Matt Jensen, Superintendent
  • Callie Langohr, First Principal of Glacier High School
  • Darlene Schottle, Former Superintendent
  • Jinn Mariman, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Shay Smithwick-Hann, Glacier Alumni
  • Marygrace Knuffke, Senior, Student Body President

KEY STATISTICS:

  • Original Design: 1,200-1,500 students
  • Total Cost: $37,318,568.56
  • $127 per square foot
  • Cost in 2025: $135M - $175M
  • Square Footage: Approximately 294,000
  • Site: 40 acres developed out of 60 total
  • Original Design: 62 classrooms, 1,488 lockers, 874 parking spots
  • Performance Venues: 2,750 total seats across all venues
  • Construction Materials: 1,000 tons steel, 7,000 cubic yards concrete
  • Over a 100 Million in value delivered to community over 20 years

RESOURCES:

  • Event Recording - Voice
  • Picture: Golden Shovel
  • Photo Caption (left to right):
  • Matt Jensen, Superintendent; Linda Kaps, KPS Trustee; Jason Hecock, IT Director; Shay Smithwick-Hann, Glacier Alumni; Brad Holloway, current Glacier Principal; Jinn Mariman, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; Darlene Schottle, Former Superintendent; Callie Langohr, First Principal, Glacier High School; Anne Marie Bailey, Board Member, Kalispell Education Foundation; Dorothy Drury, Executive Director, Kalispell Education Foundation; Marygrace Knuffke, Senior, Student Body President