BELGRADE ELEMENTARY BOND 2025
Why are we Running A New Elementary School Bond?
Moves 5th Grader Students
Out of the Middle School
Better fit socially, emotionally, and academically
​
Right sizes the middle school enrollment
Future Proofing
Prepares the District for Belgrade's growing community
Voter Option for Full Size Gym
Would support school programs & community use as a long-term investment
HOW DID WE GET HERE?
2019
$48M Bond Passes to build Story Creek Elementary and a 4th Elementary School
Story Creek Elementary opens, $20M unspent
2021
SPRING 2024
$60.5M Bond fails for Middle School renovations and new Elementary School.
Design started for Elementary School #4
FALL 2024
Costs exceed 2019 funds = Need additional $6.3M (plus $5M optional gym)
SUMMER
2025
Bond Election
NOV. 4, 2025
School opens Fall 2027 if approved
2027
2018 Elementary Master Plan​​
In 2018, the Belgrade School District completed a Master Plan to address rapid growth. The study found that:
-
Elementary schools were already over capacity and lacked spaces like commons, breakout rooms, and adequate support areas.
-
The Middle School was nearing its limits, especially as it absorbed fifth grade.
-
Continued residential growth would push student enrollment well beyond the capacity of existing facilities within just a few years.
-
Equity concerns existed, with some schools lacking the same resources and flexibility as others.
​
Future Plans from the Master Plan
The plan recommended a phased approach:
-
Build two new elementary schools
(one to replace Heck-Quaw and one additional). -
Renovate Saddle Peak Elementary to expand its undersized commons/cafeteria.
-
Purchase land for future school sites (both elementary and middle).
-
Plan for a new middle school in the long term (about 700 students).
Why Now?
In 2019, voters gave the District permission to build a new elementary school to move 5th grade out of the Middle School. Since then, construction costs have risen sharply, and the original funding is no longer enough to finish the project.
​
In May 2024, a larger bond proposal was presented, but voters said “not now.” We listened. This revised 2025 bond focuses only on the essential need: building the new elementary school.
Why costs are higher
-
Construction materials and labor have become much more expensive since 2019.
-
The school site west of Jackrabbit Lane has no water, sewer, or utility connections—adding these is costly, but prepares the campus for future schools.
-
Each year of delay increases costs further.
Timeline
-
2019 – Voters approve authority for the new school.
-
2024 – Larger bond proposal voted down; District scales back.
-
2025 – Revised, focused bond goes to voters on November 4.
-
2026+ – Design and construction if approved.
WHY DOES THIS COST MORE TODAY?
*Based on construction costs for Story Creek Elementary and Design Cost Estimate for new Belgrade Elementary School. Note: projects have different design constraints and square footages.
68,435 SF
2019
$16.4M
Heading 6
TOTAL COST OF SCHOOL
$242/SF
AVERAGE SQUARE FOOTAGE COST
2025
$34.9M
111% INCREASE
TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF SCHOOL
$510/SF
AVERAGE SQUARE FOOTAGE COST
2030
$48.9M
40% INCREASE
TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST OF SCHOOL
$714/SF
AVERAGE SQUARE FOOTAGE COST
SITE UTILITY COSTS
The site for the new elementary school is west of Jackrabbit Lane, off of Frank Road. The site has no connections to city water or sewer, nor does it have electrical or gas connections. Running utilities to this site is expensive.