District-City Land Exchange

Belgrade School District and City of Belgrade Land Exchange

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 44 (BELGRADE) GALLATIN COUNTY, MONTANA

ELECTION ON THE EXCHANGE OF SITES AND BUILDINGS OWNED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SITES AND BUILDINGS OWNED BY THE CITY

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: Completely fill in the oval using a blue or black ink pen before the words “EXCHANGE OF SITES AND BUILDINGS —YES” if you wish to approve the exchange of sites and buildings; if you are opposed to the exchange of sites and buildings, completely fill in the oval using a blue or black ink pen before the words “EXCHANGE OF SITES AND BUILDINGS—NO.”

Shall the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of School District No. 44 (Belgrade), Gallatin County, Montana (the “District”) be authorized to acquire sites and buildings currently owned by the City of Belgrade (the “City”) in exchange for sites and buildings currently owned by the District?

The sites and buildings owned by the District that the District would convey to the City in an exchange transaction consist of the two (2) blocks of real property bounded by West Allison Avenue, North Kennedy Street, West Southview Avenue, and North Weaver Street on which Heck-Quaw School is located, together with all other improvements located on such site.

The sites and buildings owned by the City that the City would convey to the District in an exchange transaction consist of (i) most of one block of real property (to exclude a house and the Masonic Lodge) bounded by East Park Avenue, North Kennedy Street, East Central Avenue, and North Broadway on which the City Hall and the old Belgrade Community Library are located, together with all other improvements located on such site (the “New District Downtown Property”), and (ii) Lions Park [and the parcel of real property adjacent to Lions Park on which the Belgrade Senior Center is located], together with all improvements located on such site (the “New District Park Property”).

The City would pay no money to the District and the District would pay no money to the City for the acquisition by exchange of the sites and buildings. If this election passes, the Board will be authorized to proceed with the acquisition and disposition by exchange and to select the New District Downtown Property and the New District Park Property for school buildings and other school purposes.

EXCHANGE OF SITES AND BUILDINGS – YES

EXCHANGE OF SITES AND BUILDINGS – NO

Land Exchange FAQ

What is included in the land exchange?

Why is this exchange needed?

The City and the District are working collaboratively to right-size the existing buildings for the entities that use them. The City has too little space for the personnel needed to keep pace with growth. The District has building space beyond the needs of our district staffing.

The partnership also includes about 17 acres of land at Lions Park which would be transferred to the district in anticipation of continued growth for an additional elementary school needing to be built in the future. This allows the District to prepare for our future students while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.

What are the financial implications?

The exchange cost is $0.

Moving City offices to the larger space in the Quaw/Heck buildings will avoid a bond request for new construction. While renovation costs will be required to bring the buildings up to modern standards, including updates to infrastructure, ADA compliance, and creating/renovating office spaces, many of these expenses can be managed gradually within the existing budget. However, depending on future growth and operational needs, the City may still need to seek a bond in the future for construction and renovation costs. This approach offers flexibility in financial planning while easing the immediate burden on taxpayers.

The School District recognizes there are costs associated with moving, but these costs are offset by the savings for not paying for utilities and maintenance for spaces infrequently used. We anticipate the need for some light remodeling in the Library space, but this falls under the maintenance costs already included in our budgets.

If the exchange does not pass:

The City will need a bond for additions to the City Hall complex including a new public safety facility.
The District will need a bond to address infrastructure and ADA issues in Quaw and Heck so they can be used as community spaces.
The District will need a bond to purchase land in preparation for a 5th elementary school as our city doubles in size.

How will Lions Park be affected?

Why was this exchanged proposed?

The property exchange will allow the City to provide more suitable facilities for its services without requiring immediate taxpayer-funded bonds for new buildings. While renovation funds for the Quaw building will be needed, including the potential ask for a bond in the future, costs can be spread over time and offset by future growth, reducing the burden on individual taxpayers. In addition, by transferring Lions Park to the School District while maintaining city management, public use of the park will continue uninterrupted.

Furthermore, the exchange supports the preservation of the Quaw school. This building dates back to 1908 and is an integral part of Belgrade history, but the District does not have the funds to renovate this building to current codes and ADA compliance. It is also no longer a suitable option for classrooms. This exchange includes an agreement that the City will not demolish the historic facade of the Quaw building.

When it comes time to build a 5th elementary school, the District will already have a 17 acre parcel on which to build the school. This will significantly reduce the total cost of the project to our community.

Why aren't Heck and Quaw being used as schools?

In 2019, Belgrade voters agreed that Heck/Quaw were no longer suitable as an elementary school. The primary reasons were:

Safety–the transition between buildings created safety concerns crossing Broadway. Students were at risk each time they crossed the street during the school day. Students and staff members were nearly hit by cars on multiple occasions.

Loss of Instructional Time–Music and Gym were in one building, Lunch and Library in the other building. The travel time plus the additional time it takes elementary students to put on and remove coats and boots decreased learning time for every student every week.

Inadequate Educational Space–These buildings were outdated compared to other schools in the district. They lacked breakout spaces for small group instruction. They didn't not meet ADA egress which affects disabled students and staff. Mechanical and electrical systems were out of date. Windows had to be opened in the winter to provide proper airflow. Lighting was out of date based on today’s energy standards. Many educational spaces had exposed mechanical and electrical equipment.

Are there concerns about the airport or noise at the Lions Park location?

Why is the city not using the old library for the Police Department?

The old library was initially considered as a potential site for the Belgrade Police Department after the library relocated. However, with the city's population projected to nearly double to 30,000 within the next decade, the police force, currently at 29 officers and 5 support staff, will need to grow significantly to meet the demands of this expansion. The library space is no longer adequate This rapid increase in population growth was not projected when the one building solution was presented.

Additionally, the City co-locates its police and court facilities, but the limited size of the old library cannot accommodate both. The Belgrade court system has seen a 35% increase in misdemeanor cases and a 22% rise in violent crime and DUI filings from 2021 to 2023. The court also set a record for order of protection filings in 2024, with a 32% increase expected over previous highs. This growing workload highlights the need for expanded facilities that the old library cannot provide.

Is Lions Park suitable for the construction of a future school?

Lions Park is well served by existing roadway infrastructure, ensuring smooth traffic solutions for school bus and parent drop off. It is adjacent to existing utilities, making site development costs efficient. It is also an excellent size to build an elementary school, playground, and necessary parking lot. Lions Park will provide a "neighborhood" school to service not only adjacent families but also Ryen Glen and Meadowlark Ranch neighborhoods and future developments in this part of town.

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