MCPS facilities plan proposes sales, long leases and an investment fund to address $13M in deferred maintenance

Missoula County Public Schools staff and consultants presented a draft properties plan that recommends using a mix of sales, long-term leases and maintained ownership to address an estimated $13 million in deferred maintenance across seven buildings.

Consultant Kate Dinsdar (presenting with Max Griby and Rachel Horia) told trustees the team analyzed 13 properties and developed three strategic options: (1) no change, (2) sell unneeded properties and create an investment fund to preserve principal and use investment returns for maintenance, or (3) seek additional community funding. Public engagement showed a plurality (54%) favored option two: creating an investment fund from sales proceeds and maximizing leases on retained properties.

The plan listed property-specific recommendations: administration building (long-term lease or sale), Cold Springs and Mount Jumbo (retain and maximize leases with three-year terms), Dickinson (retain for adult education), Duncan Drive (explore transfers or trades with Garden City Harvest, the city, university and county while preserving use by the Old Boys Soccer Club and Garden City Harvest), Whittier/Head Start (priority to transfer or sell to Head Start using available federal processes), Prescott (solicit proposals via an RFP/solicitation to align with neighborhood goals) and other parcels with a mix of recommendations.

Presenter Max Griby summarized deferred maintenance categories—structural, building envelope and mechanical/electrical—and produced a high-level estimate of about $13 million for repairs across the studied buildings. The team recommended setting up a quasi‑endowment so sales proceeds would remain principal and only investment returns would be used to address maintenance and leases. The presentation included a hypothetical financial scenario assuming a 4% return to illustrate how principal and interest could be conserved while paying ongoing maintenance.

Trustees asked for greater clarity on realistic lease rates and the process for solicitations, and several asked for legal review of any sale or preferential transfer processes. Presenters recommended frequent review, a facilities committee with real‑estate expertise, and phased implementation driven by staffing capacity and neighborhood engagement.

Public commenters strongly urged preserving community green space at Prescott School and the Duncan Drive playing field. John Odiger, representing the Old Boys soccer group, asked the district to re-run property valuations under current lower-density zoning and for the existing recreational/agricultural uses; James Randall, Laura Fox and David Holly similarly asked for stipulations to preserve open space, community input on development, and careful valuation. Other commenters said selling Prescott could create much-needed housing in the lower Rattlesnake; speakers were divided about the neighborhood and district priorities.

The board did not vote on property dispositions; trustees and staff agreed next steps include drafting an implementation schedule, legal review of disposition options and community working groups for properties like Duncan Drive and Linda Vista.