HELENA — After hours of meetings and public comment periods, a decision will be made about the future of Hawthorne Elementary School.

Superintendent Rex Weltz has proposed three options for the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees:

Close Hawthorne for the 2025 to 2026 school year.

Close Hawthorne for the 2026 to 2027 school year.

Keep Hawthorne open and maintain the status quo.

According to Tuesday's board meeting agenda, Superintendent Weltz is recommending the first option.

There are 179 students enrolled at the school for this academic year, and teachers and kids use nine classrooms.

The district says closing Hawthorne will save them approximately $1,000,000 annually.

The high school district's 30-year bond would raise $240 million to design, construct, and furnish a new Hele

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