Grant comes through for Highland Park addition

Because of a more than $800,000 grant, Havre Public Schools will likely not have to take out a loan to pay for an addition at Highland Park Early Primary School South. Interim Superintendent Andy Carlson received the $881,875 Quality Schools Project Grant funding Tuesday f rom Montana Depar tment of Commerce Director Tony Preite. "It validates the reason for that building project," he told Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees members that night. "It was an exciting moment today," he said, touting that the grant is roughly one-tenth of the total money awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Carlson praised the work of Zella Witter and Karla Wohlwend, who wrote the grant to show that the addition will help the district maintain state accreditation standards. The more than $1 million addition will allow for all K-1 students, staff and administration to be under one roof. Several classrooms and offices will be added to the campus. "It's tremendous," Carlson said about what the grant money will do for the district. "I guess I was elated about the grant," he added. It's likely that the district won't have to take out as large of a loan, if any of one at all to complete the project, he said. Also contributing to the funding for the project will be $225,000 in excess reserves funds. The funds are contested taxes that are paid to the district late each year and are usually kept in reserve. In tighter budget times, the state is beginning to look at those reserves and say that districts have too much money, and the state is encouraging that districts begin to use that money for projects. A new fire alarm and intercom system in Havre High School also will be funded with $200,100 from the excess reserve funds.