04/25/07 Fiske to Conrad/Proposed DevelopmentWest Vallc� Sckool
2290 rarm To MarLct Koad, Kali,5pd, Montana 5�901
April 25, 2007
City of Kalispell
Planning Department
17 - 2nd Street East, Suite 211
Kalispell, Montana 59901
KAUSPE?' rLAP!iHNG DLEPAPROBIT
Attention: Sean Conrad; Senior Planner
Re: Proposed development project on Section #35 of Township 29 North, Range
22 West
Dear Mr. Conrad,
Thank you for the packet of information regarding the development which
will obviously have large implications to our school district. First of all, 1 would
like to commend the developers for being in contact with me and providing
beginning information that will impact our school. The developer has been to a
school board meeting, invited me to planning meetings, and has met with me
personally to keep me updated.
It is obvious that any type of development that could bring 3000+ housing
lots will make a huge .difference to our school district. When this is built out, and
along with other developments in our area, West Valley School will have to
increase its size to accommodate student growth. What form that will be is
somewhat difficult to pinpoint (sound familiar?).
The Starling group has laid out an area in the South East corner of the tract
listed above of 15 acres (estimated). Whether or not this land is suitable for a
school is to be determined. Also, the ability for our district to bond enough
money to build a school from the ground up would be a very large hurdle. As a
point of comparison, to build a middle school that could accommodate 500
students might cost 15 million to build (all very rough estimates). To begin another
addition at the current site and move our capacity to 600 students could cost 4
million. The ability to bond enough dollars to build something sustainable for
future growth is a key goal (but hard to do).
Todd ri5Le - _`�')uperintencient
" CinJ(,, �O�el�, - District Clerks y Sancti Usler- District Secretar(J.
=rob-755-7�39 * rax+O6-755-7300
Much of the concern is that the West Valley community would not be able
to shoulder such a large tax burden (or want to). it becomes somewhat a wait
and see mentality. As the community grows more people will shoulder the
burden. The problem is the growth will happen first and passing a bond and
completing a building project will come way behind the need.
The solutions are easy to identify, the funding for these solutions is difficult.
Educating our children will be our focus and goal. Thanks for the opportunity to
share.
Si rel ,
Todd Fis
Superintendent
West Valley School