COLUMBIA FALLS – In May, voters approved a $2.75 million construction levy to replace an aging roof at Columbia Falls High School.

The first day of school begins on September 3, and work on the new roof is still underway after construction delays this summer due to heavy rain damage.

“We’ve had five water damage incidents and we had lost possibly four to six classrooms, now we’re missing 28. So we’re thankful for the classrooms we have, but things are just going to be a little different,” said Cory Dziowgo, superintendent of Columbia Falls High School.

Dziowgo said the district will begin using some classrooms outside the high school at the start of the school year, including those at the old Canyon Elementary School in Hungry Horse, which closed in 2011.

“Up to 15 classrooms up in the canyon that will have all the elementary grades, but we’ll put in high school desks, smart boards, phones, internet and all that, so it won’t be the normal classroom that the kids expect,” Dziowgo said.

Although Canyon Elementary School has been closed for over a decade, it is still owned by the school district.

Dziowgo said the district will provide students with necessary transportation to and from school.

“The district is fortunate to have this building at a time like this. Bad Rock Canyon is scenic, but it’s quite difficult to navigate by car, so we want to minimize our students’ car trips there.”

With the first day of school fast approaching, Dziowgo said district officials are working hard to continue to prioritize in-person learning.

“We felt it was very important that Columbia Falls and its staff be committed to ensuring that our students are in the classroom with their teachers and support staff,” Dziowgo added.

Belfor Property Restoration is replacing the roof with 24 workers on site and hopes to complete the job by October 25.

Dziowgo said student safety was the top priority.

“Our industrial hygienists ensure that our building is properly restored. While Belfor works to restore the building, we address any damage they find – past or present – to ensure we maintain the highest standards,” Dziowgo said.

Dziowogo said further plans for the start of the school year would be released this week.