‘Shovel-ready’ list proposes $38M for ed buildings

By GAIL SCHONTZLER Chronicle Staff Writer

Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s $3 billion list of “shovel-ready” construction projects that could compete for federal economic-stimulus dollars includes just $38 million for state universities and public schools.

That works out to about $1.20 for every $100 on the governor’s list.

It’s about 11 percent of the $359 million in repairs, energy upgrades and improvements needed just by Montana’s K-12 public schools, according to a 2008 state report. It’s roughly how much Bozeman taxpayers are spending to renovate a single school, Bozeman High. And it’s less than the Department of Transportation proposes to spend for a single new $47 million freeway interchange in Helena or the $46 million proposed to build 16 highway rest stops.

Montana education leaders expressed concern last week -- at the Board of Regents meeting and a videoconference of Montana’s seven largest school districts -- that the governor’s $3 billion list seemed to ignore universities and public schools.

But Sarah Elliott, the governor’s spokeswoman, pointed Friday to education projects on the last page of the 25-page list.

The governor’s letter stated that the list “does not reflect ALL the infrastructure projects that are on waiting lists across the state, but only those that could be gathered under a tight deadline” and could meet the expected requirements that the money be obligated within 180 days if passed by Congress.

Jan Lombardi, the governor’s education policy advisor, stressed in an e-mail that “this is a work in progress.”

There are roughly 600 items on the governor’s entire list. It includes everything from improving Butte’s water supply to cleaning up abandoned mines, a $20 million freeway interchange for Belgrade and an $11 million interchange for Bozeman.

Congress hasn’t yet acted on President-elect Barack Obama’s proposal to give the economy a shot in the arm by pumping billions of dollars into state and local building projects that could be started quickly to create jobs. No one knows whether any of them will get funded, Elliott said.

For public schools and higher education, the total listed by the governor for energy-efficiency building upgrades is $34 million.

Another $4 million would provide financial aid of $1,000 each for 400 students at two-year colleges.

For Montana State University, the governor’s list includes: $1.2 million for Hamilton Hall, to improve handicapped access and improve windows, insulation and mechanical systems; $289,000 for more efficient lighting; and $500,000 for a campuswide building and energy management system.

For the University of Montana, the list includes: $302,000 for energy-efficient lighting; $500,000 for a campuswide building and energy management system; and $900,000 for the Mansfield Library for energy-saving improvements.

Another $1.3 million is listed for roof repairs at unspecified education buildings statewide.

The biggest single item for education is $23.4 million for “miscellaneous” K-12 school and higher education buildings.

The governor’s list also refers to a July 2008 report on the condition of 2,195 Montana public school buildings n everything from classrooms to athletic facilities to school auditoriums. That report came up with an estimated $359 million cost to improve energy efficiency, meet building codes and fix damaged and worn-out facilities.

For Bozeman, the report estimated $3.8 million was needed for the elementary schools and $5.5 million for high school buildings.

Meanwhile MSU President Geoff Gamble and UM President George Dennison sent Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., a joint letter last month stressing the importance of federal support for student financial aid and updating university buildings and science labs.

Gamble wrote that MSU has a “shovel-ready” project, the renovation of Cooley Labs, where biomedical research funded by the National Institutes of Health takes place. That project was recently canceled because the bids exceeded funding. It did not appear on the governor’s list.

UM had similar problems with an Interdisciplinary Science building and College of Technology building, the presidents wrote.

Gail Schontzler is at gails@dailychronicle.com or 582-2633.

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