Laurel Proposes $62.8M Bond for High School Upgrades

The bond aims to address $15 million in deferred maintenance and expand trade programs at Laurel High School.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:10pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired grid of brightly colored school supplies, conceptually representing the proposed upgrades to Laurel High School's facilities and programs.A proposed $62.8 million bond aims to modernize aging facilities and expand educational opportunities at Laurel High School, but the timing raises concerns about the community's tax burden.Billings Today

Laurel Public Schools is proposing a $62.8 million bond to fund major repairs and upgrades at Laurel High School, including addressing $15 million in deferred maintenance, updating the aging heating system, and expanding the school's trade programs like welding and family and consumer sciences. The measure will go before voters on the May 5 school district election ballot.

Why it matters

The proposed bond comes at a time when Laurel residents are already facing the potential impact of other large public projects, including a $195 million Yellowstone County jail expansion. Some community members are concerned about the tax burden, while school officials argue the high school upgrades are necessary to modernize the facilities and improve educational opportunities.

The details

The bond would fund a variety of improvements at Laurel High School, including repairing water damage, replacing the roof, upgrading the outdated and inefficient heating system, and expanding the facilities for the school's trade programs. Principal Melissa Byington said the current spaces are too cramped to properly serve all the students interested in subjects like welding and family and consumer sciences.

  • The $62.8 million bond measure will be on the May 5, 2026 school district election ballot.
  • In 2023, Laurel voters approved an elementary school bond but rejected a high school bond.

The players

Matt Torix

Superintendent of Laurel Public Schools, who says the high school faces significant maintenance problems and needs modernization.

Melissa Byington

Principal of Laurel High School, who says the current facilities for trade programs are too cramped and need upgrades.

Adrianna Lamb

A Laurel parent who is concerned about the timing of the bond proposal given other major projects like the Yellowstone County jail expansion.

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What they’re saying

“We just have some things that we need to do better at.”

— Matt Torix, Superintendent

“It's really hard to have multiple classes going on at the same time right now. In fact, virtually impossible. We'd like to be able to serve more students in it and that requires space and some updates of opportunity.”

— Melissa Byington, Principal

“It's just the timing. The timing is wrong. If they were to pass at the same time, the Laurel school and also Yellowstone County (jail), all of the Laurel residents would have that impact at the same time.”

— Adrianna Lamb, Laurel Parent

What’s next

Voters in the Laurel school district will decide on the $62.8 million bond measure on the May 5, 2026 election ballot.

The takeaway

The proposed high school bond highlights the difficult balance school districts must strike between addressing critical facility needs and managing the tax burden on residents, especially when other major public projects are also in the works. The outcome of the vote could have significant implications for the future of education in Laurel.