This situation is made more intolerable by the fact that the solution, in a large part, is simple: the community of Hays needs a new school complex (grades (K-12) to replace an aging and deteriorating elementary school and to supplement it with a new high school for the region.

Four facts are, as a result of a recent study, convincingly evident: first, the community of Hays is suffering under an inadequate educational system; second, the situation cannot be corrected by additions to or updating of present facilities; third, the situation could be resolved by the construction of a new elementary-high school building complex in Hays; and fourth, due to the financial condition of the area, the construction of such a complex is not now or in the foreseeable future an undertaking that the local communities can attempt without assistance.

A more complete summary of the situation would include the following statements:

1.

The Hays Elementary School, while having undergone one renovation in the last two decades, is basically an old, deteriorating set of buildings that is too small, supplemented by a collection of temporary mobile classrooms that were never intended to serve an adequate, long-term educational function.

2. The population and enrollment situation in the Hays/Lodge Pole District provides a steady stream of eighth grade graduates. These students need a modern high school in Hays.

3.

The students, parents, and school officials in the area, agree that

a elementary-high school complex in Hays would vastly improve the educational system in the area by establishing a continuity of educational goals,

methods, and achievements.

Thereby the quality of education would be

greatly enhanced by the construction of an elementary-high school complex

in Hays, Montana.

4. In order to attract and hold qualified teachers and their families, Hays and Lodge Pole must construct faculty residences. There are currently no acceptable buildings available.

FINANCIAL PICTURE

The table below shows the taxable valuation of the Hays/Lodge Pole School District No. 50. It can be readily seen that School District No. 50 cannot build its own elementary-high school complex.

Table I

Taxable Valuation Hays/Lodge Pole School District No. 50

An interesting fact is that one mill raises only $123.38 in the Hays/ Lodge Pole District No. 50. By comparison, a typical self-supporting small school district in Northern Montana, such as Choteau County School District No. 3, Geraldine, Montana, has a taxable valuation such that one mill yields $4,715.00 a figure 38 times greater than the Hays/Lodge Pole

School District No. 50 figure.

The Mission High School has burned down and is now closed. Hays High School is currently serving the combined population of the two schools.

Project No.

Applicant

Section 14

Estimate that project would go to bid if funded, within

Priority

Estimated
Cost

90 days 120 days 240 days 360 days

AZ 73-C-607
AZ 76-C-516
WA 76-C-512
WA 77-C-602
AZ 77-C-1105
NM 73-C-402

NM 77-C-402

X

X