Helena Public Schools updates schedule and bond project progress

Helena Public Schools issued a district-wide update on Jan. 9, 2026, as students returned from winter break. Superintendent Rex Weltz used the Friday Flyer to notify families and staff of several schedule items and to provide a substantive progress report on bond-funded projects across multiple school sites.

The flyer confirmed that schools will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19. An early-release day for grades 6–8 is scheduled for Jan. 23, and Jan. 26 is designated as a records and in-service day. These adjustments affect staffing, transportation, and family planning for the latter half of January.

On capital projects, the district reported movement on schematic design milestones for multiple campuses and laid out next steps in procurement for GCCM services. The communication said community engagement events are planned as schematic work advances, and that procurement steps for GCCM services are underway to support the construction phase. The full Friday Flyer includes detailed week-by-week project timelines and links to the district bond website and engagement portals for residents seeking project schedules and documentation.

Community engagement remains a focal point. The flyer highlighted upcoming meetings, including an engagement night at Kessler Elementary, intended to gather local input on project elements and timelines. The district encouraged participation through its online engagement portals and the scheduled in-person events listed in the flyer.

The update also reiterated donation deadlines tied to tax-credit timing, a reminder that carries financial implications for residents and donors who plan charitable contributions to the district. The flyer listed community resources, including food programs and support services available to federal employees, and provided contact details for families and community members seeking additional information.

For local residents, the communication carries immediate practical impact on school schedules and childcare arrangements while offering a clearer view of how bond dollars are progressing from design toward procurement and construction. The district’s emphasis on engagement creates opportunities for public input, but the procurement and timeline updates also raise questions about schedule certainty and project oversight as the bond work moves into more active phases.

Residents can consult the district bond website and the engagement portals referenced in the flyer for full timelines, meeting notices, and the contact information supplied by the district for further inquiries.