Established 1886!
Deer Park is the oldest active school in Flathead Valley. As a small rural school, we are proud of our heritage and history.
If you missed our upcoming Community Meetings but still have questions, please contact the office. We're more than happy to chat!
The 2025 Bond will provide funding for a new building to replace the Quonset Hut and Office Buildings. The used Quonset Hut was donated to Deer Park School District in the 1960s. It currently houses the music room, art room, Crash Zone (before and after school care) and Title I support. The office building started as a one room teacherage in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Because of it's historical value, Deer Park would like to preserve this building by selling or relocating it. Both buildings are failing, lacking storage and need extensive infrastructure updates.
IN THE NEWS:
Hungry Horse News: https://hungryhorsenews.com/news/2025/apr/23/deer-park-looks-to-replace-67-quonset-hut/
https://hungryhorsenews.com/news/2025/apr/23/supports-deer-park-bond/
Flathead Beacon: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2025/04/24/support-the-deer-park-school-bond/
Daily Inter Lake: https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2025/apr/22/letters-to-the-editor-april-22/
FAQs:
Q: Is the school building a new building in order to accommodate more out-of-district students?
A: No, the buildings that are being replaced are failing. Deer Park wants to remain a tight-knight rural school and community.
Q: Why is Deer Park taking out-of-district students?
A: The 2023 Montana Legislature implemented prioritizing parent's choice for student enrollment. Because of this change, Deer Park is required to accept out-of-district students if there is room (with a few exceptions). Deer Park maintains smaller class sizes than the state cap due to physical space. Even with a replacement building, class sizes are not expected to change dramatically. However, it will create much needed space for our specialists, counselors and break-out groups. Furthermore, because of the legislative changes, Deer Park will be charging tuition to the districts where the out-of-district students reside. Since Deer Park takes in more out-of-district students than the number of in-district students that choose to go to another district for school, we will be taking in a net positive amount for this past school year, reducing tax payers' burden.
Q: Is the new proposed playground included in the bond?
A: No, the bond covers only the new building and updates to the utilities as needed. The Booster Club is raising funds for the playground separately and are currently planning to update the playground in stages.
Q: Why does the bond language reference the cost to tax payers in the first year only?
A: Each year, Montana state determines how much a "mil" is worth and therefore the tax impact can change either up or down each year. The first year tax impact is the amount at the interest rate when the data was collected.
Q: What if the building doesn't cost $4 million?
A: Deer Park will work with a local lending entity to sell bonds in chunks instead of all bonds at once. If Deer Park is able to complete the building under the projected cost of $4 million, not all bonds will be sold and the tax impact will be smaller.
Q: What about grants and donations?
A: The administration is working with the Booster Club to obtain all donations possible and is also researching available grants. We are open to community contractors and vendors supporting our project in any way possible, such as through donations of time or supplies.
Q: Can I tour the office and Quonset hut?
A: Yes! Please join us at the community meeting on April 24th for refreshments, a tour and a Q&A session. If you are unable to make that time, please contact the office to schedule a tour. We'd be happy to show you around!
See how Deer Park School District compares to other schools in the valley - Check out the Flathead County Statistical Report!
Get ready to vote! May 6th, 2025
Ballots will be mailed out by Flathead County Election Department. Feel free to drop them off at Deer Park or the County Election Department by 8pm on election day.