Kalispell Chamber To Host First Public Event At New Kalispell Elementary School – 8/21

On Tuesday, August 21 the Kalispell Chamber will hold its August monthly luncheon, partnering with Kalispell Public Schools, to show off the newly constructed Jeannette Rankin Elementary School off Airport Road in Kalispell.

The event, which will take place from 11:45am to 1:15pm, will highlight the new school’s 21st-century learning environments, which are better equipped to best educate students both now and into the future, as technology rapidly changes. There will also be a series of construction updates regarding the district’s other elementary schools as well as projects underway at Flathead High School, the Agricultural Center, and scheduled work coming up at Linderman Education Center later this year.

Immediately following the luncheon presentation, attendees will be encouraged to break into groups for tours of the new school, which will open its doors to students just one week following the Chamber luncheon.

"We’re excited to have members of our Rankin staff available to give tours around the building, where we can talk about our new collaborative learning environments, maker spaces, and be able to see some of the top-level technology in this school in action," said Mark Flatau, Superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools.

Rankin Elementary was conceived from a desperate need for an additional elementary school, reflecting the tremendous growth the Kalispell community has seen over the last several years.

In 2016, Kalispell Public Schools presented a bond request to the Kalispell community, which came at the conclusion of a year-long planning effort to address persistent overcrowding at both the elementary and high school districts. Voters passed the $25.28 million elementary district bond as well as the $28.76 million high school bond, spurring the current construction projects.

"The Kalispell Chamber has long been dedicated to advancing education and workforce development in our community. After supporting the 2016 bond initiatives, we’ve been closely watching this new facility take shape, and are looking forward to hosting members of our community for the first look at this fantastic addition to our school system," said Joe Unterreiner, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber.

Flatau and Unterreiner will be presenting at the luncheon, alongside Merisa Murray, Rankin Elementary Principal.

Tickets to this event are $20 per person, include lunch, and must be reserved by Friday, August 17. Interested individuals should contact the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce at (406) 758-2803 to purchase tickets.

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ABOUT THE KALISPELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Since 1904, the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau has been a leading voice in strengthening our community and the business climate, with the goal of making Kalispell and the Flathead Valley an ideal location to live and work. The Chamber consists of 700 businesses and organizations, which employ over half of the workforce in Flathead County, Montana.

Kate Lufkin, Marketing & Communications Manager

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

Convention & Visitor Bureau

15 Depot Park | Kalispell, MT 59901

(P) 406-758-2801 (F) 406-758-2805