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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOND
$20M(Previously Approved) 

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  • Approx. 35,000 SF serving 250 students initially, expandable to 500–700 in future phases

  • Includes classrooms, collaboration areas, multipurpose space with stage, library, playgrounds, parking, and bus/parent drop-off areas

  • Thanks to 2025 legislative changes, this maintains taxpayer costs about the same as the 2019 bond

  • Extension of water, sewer, gas, and electrical service to the Frank Road site

  • Higher up-front cost, but prepares the campus for a future middle school, high school, and athletics facilities

FINISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$6.63M

Finish the New

Elementary School

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Site & Utilities

Phase 1

$6.63M

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  • Regulation-size gym with bleacher seating for 300

  • Provides a dedicated PE space, supports athletics, and serves as a venue for community events

  • Considered separately so voters can decide whether to include it


OPTIONAL NEW GYMNASIUM
$5M

Optional Add-on

New Gymnasium

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Separate Ballot Item

$5M

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BUILDING BUDGETS

In 2024, Belgrade School District began the process to design and build its 4th Elementary School using a collaborative team approach. SMA Architecture + Design is leading the design, Tate Management is serving as the district’s representative, and Langlas & Associates was brought on early as the construction partner. This approach—called General Contractor / Construction Manager (GCCM)—lets the architect, contractor, and owner’s team work side-by-side from the very beginning, checking design ideas against real construction costs to keep the project on budget.

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From Educational Specifications through Design Development, Belgrade teachers, staff, and administrators were engaged to shape a school that meets educational and enrollment needs. As the design took shape, the team ran pricing exercises at key milestones to ensure costs stayed in line. One reason the district carried the project through design before bringing it to voters was to confirm that the bond request truly reflects the funding needed. Options like adding a new gym were carried through the process with clear estimates, giving the district and community the ability to make informed decisions.

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The construction team also worked with local subcontractors early to confirm pricing and identify savings, while the owner’s representative provided regular updates to the school board. By pricing and adjusting along the way—and fully understanding the options and implications of site and utility work early—the district balanced needs, budget, and schedule. This process ensures Belgrade’s new elementary school is a well-planned, cost-responsible investment that will serve students, staff, and the community for years to come

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Read more about why construction costs have risen since the original 2019 planning, and why the district is requesting additional bonds to complete the project.



Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in the bond:

CONSTRUCTION COSTS
THE LARGEST SHARE OF THE BOND BUDGET COVERS ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION:

BUILDING MATERIALS & LABOR

SITE DEVELOPMENT (UTILITIES, GRADING, ACCESS ROADS)

GENERAL CONTRACTOR FEES & INSURANCE (CONSTRUCTION BONDS)

SOFT COSTS
THESE ARE ESSENTIAL NON-CONSTRUCTION EXPENSES REQUIRED TO DELIVER A COMPLETE PROJECT:

ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING DESIGN FEES

FURNITURE, FIXTURES, & EQUIPMENT

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PERMITTING, TESTING, INSPECTIONS, & COMMISSIONING

SITE

EXPLORATION

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT & OWNER'S REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

BOND ADMINISTRATION

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LEGAL FEES & INSURANCE​

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FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT (FF&E) - PART OF SOFT COSTS
EVERY NEW SCHOOL NEEDS TO BE MOVE-IN READY:

DESKS, CHAIRS, WHITEBOARDS, STORAGE, AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY: PROJECTORS, AV SYSTEMS, SMARTBOARDS

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KITCHEN & FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT​

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SITE EXPLORATION - PART OF SOFT COSTS
ENSURES UNDERSTANDING OF EXISTING CONSITIONS AND SITE REQUIREMENTS

LAND SURVEYS AND SOIL TESTING

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ENVIRONMENTAL & TRAFFIC ASSESSMENTS

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BOND ADMINISTRATION - PART OF SOFT COSTS
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INVESTMENT, THE BUDGET INCLUDES ALLOWANCES FOR:

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ELECTION MATERIALS

FINANCIAL ADVISORY AND LEGAL SERVICES

BOND ISSUANCE AND MANAGEMENT FEES

ESCALATION & CONTINGENCY
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INVESTMENT, THE BUDGET INCLUDES ALLOWANCES FOR:

INFLATION & MARKET ESCALATION (ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN TODAY'S VOLATILE CONSTRUCTION CLIMATE)

UNKNOWNS THAT ARISE DURING CONSTRUCTION, LIKE UNSTABLE SOILS OR SUPPLY DELAYS

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Why do school construction costs per square foot seem so high compared to houses or office buildings?

​School buildings are held to much higher standards than homes or typical commercial spaces. They’re built to last 50–75 years, with durable materials, fire protection systems, and life safety features to serve hundreds of students daily. Unlike homes or offices, schools include specialized spaces like science labs, gyms, commercial kitchens, and secure entryways—all of which add complexity and cost.They must also meet strict accessibility, energy, and seismic codes, and use prevailing wages in publicly bid contracts. Add today’s high construction and labor costs, and the square-foot price reflects a facility that’s safer, stronger, and built for generations—not just decades.

PROJECT COST OR IN THIS CASE, PROJECT BUDGET
THE ALL IN COST FOR THE PROJECT. INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

CONSTRUCTION COSTS

INCLUDES BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COST AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS

SOFT COSTS

INCLUDES DESIGN FEES, FF&E, TESTING, SURVEY, PERMITS AND FEES

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ESCALATION & CONTINGENCY

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WHAT KIND OF TAX INCREASE SHOULD I EXPECT?

Belgrade voters will be asked to consider two separate bond measures in 2025:

 

$6.63 million Elementary Bond (20-year term)

$5 million optional add-on Gymnasium Addition (20-year term)

 

The Elementary School Bonds will appear on tax rolls starting in the 2026–27 fiscal year. To help reduce the early impact on taxpayers, the bonds are structured to levy fewer mills until existing district bonds are retired in 2037 and 2039—balancing near-term affordability with long-term investment in Belgrade’s growing elementary facilities.

The chart below shows estimated tax increases based on your home’s market and taxable value. These examples reflect homestead-qualified residential properties (primary homes or long-term rentals).


New in 2025: Montana’s tax laws are changing. Your home’s taxable value will now be based on its market value range:

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$6.63 Million Bond – Finish the Elementary School

  • This bond would complete the construction of the new Elementary School.

  • The money covers final building costs that were not included in earlier funding.

  • Impact on homeowners:

    • For a home worth $200,000 → about $28 per year (≈ $2.38/month) (includes $23/year already approved in 2019 Bond)

    • For a home worth $400,000 → about $57 per year (≈ $4.76/month) (includes $47/year already approved in 2019 bond)

    • For a home worth $600,000 → about $99 per year (≈ $8.20/month) (includes $81.60 already approved in 2019 bond)

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$5 Million Optional Bond – Add a Gymnasium

  • This bond would add a full gymnasium to the Elementary School.

  • It is separate from the completion bond, so taxpayers vote on it as an option.

  • Impact on homeowners, in addition to the cost above:

    • For a home worth $200,000 → about an additional $5 per year (≈ $0.40/month)

    • For a home worth $400,000 → about an additional $10 per year (≈ $0.80/month)

    • For a home worth $600,000 → about an additional $17 per year (≈ $1.40/month)

 

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If Both Bonds Pass

  • Together, the two bonds would cost about:

    • $200,000 home → $33 per year (≈ $2.78/month)

    • $400,000 home → $67 per year (≈ $5.60/month)

    • $600,000 home → $115 per year (≈ $9.60/month)  

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Key Takeaway:

  • The $6.63M bond is for finishing the school (necessary).

  • The $5M bond is optional for adding a gym, and will enhance the functionality of the Elementary School for future expansion plans and community use. 

  • The cost to taxpayers is modest—less than the price of a couple cups of coffee per month for most homeowners.



Non-primary homes and some agricultural properties will be taxed at different rates.

For the full Tax Impact Information, click here to view the complete mill levy estimate chart.

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Please note that the Tax Impact Calculator below requires the Taxable Value of your home, not the Assessed Value. Please check your 2025 Appraisal notice from the county for your current Taxable Value.

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Enter your property address to access your property's taxable value.

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Calculate your estimated monthly tax impact using the calculators to the right by entering our taxable value.

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