Hungry Horse news., 1955-01-14
To Call Bids for Falls School Addition

BIDS are TO be opened about
April for construction of a seven
room addition to Columbia Falls
grade school
The project costing $13O,207 will
be federally financed, and will
complete the grade school plant
that was erected in 1928.
Otto Fehlberg, Coram chairman
of the district 6 school board, re-
ceived letter from the U. S. Of
flee of Education, Washington,
D. c., signed by B. Alden Lilly
white, associate director for fed
orally affected areas.
FIRST CHECK COMING
The letter states: "Your appli-
cation has been approved for fl
nancial assistance. Accordingly the
Commissioner of Education is GER
tying to the Secretary of the
Treasury for payment to you of
an amount equal to 10 per cent of
this estimated federal grant of
$130,2O7."
The letter continues and de-
scribes the project as: Additions
and improvements to an existing
elementary school building at Col
umbia Falls, Montana, consisting of
seven classrooms, storage, toilets,
and auxiliary facilities and equip
ment.
"You are advised that approval
of the application will be rescind-
ed if construction contract is not
awarded within 80 days from date
of approval (Jan. y or within
such time thereafter as may be
determined"
AS soon as construction starts
so per cent check for $65, 103.50
is to arrive.
PLANNING FOR ADDITION
Architect Genres Weed is to
meet with the district school board
Feb. to start detailed plans for
the new addition.
The grant for the new building
results from federal policy of re-
imbursing areas with federal pro-
jects where local taxes were used
| to provide schools and schooling.
District 6 built new $4,000
schools at Coram and Martin City.
Result of the Hungry Horse Dam
construction inflow was a federal
survey of the district as to school
facilities, and determination by U.
S. Office of Education representa-
tives that Talbot school and the
annex building used for grade
school purposes in Columbia Falls
should be replaced. Also used for
classrooms is remodelled dormi-
tory.
BALANCE OF ENROLMENT
A federal entitlement of $780,
600 was made, but only 1926, 40O
was forthcoming. This resulted in
construction of the new Columbia
Falls grade school building with
fewer rooms then originally plan
ned. Classroom space was provid-
ed for only half the community's
! grade school children. Old build
ings were still required.
| Last Sept. % a telegram from
Senator Mike Mansfield advised
the district that it had been Ger.
titled for $130,207 as part paymen
in the difference between the
100000 entitlement and 1926, 4N
received for the new grade school
CHOICE
The school board was given the
choice of building an addition OF
taking $34,061 of the $4,000
leaving the balance in the u. S
Treasury. The $34,061 was REIN
bursement to the district for fund!
it had spent in addition to tn,
1926, 400 grant to finish building
and equipping the new grade
school.
| The board chose the new addi
ton to cost $130,207 instead of tn,
$34,061 reimbursement. 1t was fel
that need of an addition to Column
bia Falls grade school would in
crease, and if federal funds Wer,
not used now, bond issue for
similar structure was not far off
The district in addition to tn
1926, 400 for the grade school build
ing received $218,216.47 in opera
tons and maintenance funds whicl
saw taxes decreased over the Who'll
district. This federal money wa
paid in lieu of taxes for childre,
of federal employees and person
brought here by a federal project
who were attending distric
schools.
OPTION ON LAND
Slated for voter approval at tn
school election April 2 is the pur
chase of 1874 acres of land in tn
Hoerner addition for future schoo
buildings new high schoo
plant. The school board Jan. ap
proved payment of 1915 as an op
ton on land owned by the Hoer
ner brothers. Total price of tn
tract will be S16,326.
Being circulated are petitions fc
J. a four room addition to MART
City school to cost $4,000. Pleas
|, see story on page 8.