Although a facility assessment of Bryant Elementary School found the structure to be generally sound, it did turn up a major deficiency in the building's accessibility.

At the monthly facility assessment meeting, John Carter, director of support services, told the Helena School District Board of Trustees that getting people into the building is one of the Bryant's biggest problems, particularly for those with disabilities.

"The main entrance has two sets of stairs before you hit the first floor," Carter said at a work session Tuesday night.

Inside the building, there are also areas not accessible to a person in a wheelchair, he said.

Parking is another issue at the 70-year-old building. There is no on-site parking for staff and no on-site area to drop off or pick up the 254 students.

It all takes place on city roads, Carter said.

The physical assessment found that the hot water heater is at the end of its service life.

"End of service life doesn't mean people aren't taking care of things, it just means they are getting old," Carter said.

The building needs a new roof, insulation upgrades, plumbing fixtures and window wells.

Carter points out that Bryant is not alone with many of its site deficiencies including its lack of sprinklers and ventilation system.

The good news is Bryant is structurally sound.

"Structural engineers were fairly impressed with the structural condition," Carter said adding that overall it's in pretty good shape.

Bryant Elementary as a facility does not violate any building codes, and this assessment puts the building under a microscope pointing out all its flaws and inefficiencies, Carter said. Because Montana doesn't have any educational specification guidelines, the Helena School District is using Wyoming's.

"We felt this was a good place to start," Carter said.

In the end, the price tag to repair, upgrade or improve everything on the assessment is well over $2 million.

"It's a big number," Carter Said. "But we are looking out 15 years and we don't have to write the check tomorrow."

The list does not include adding any more classrooms or additional property for the site.

"It's just improving what we have," Carter said.

Superintendent Bruce Messinger said the facilities assessments are to provide trustees with a deep understanding of infrastructure status.

"This is an issue the whole state is struggling with right now," Messinger said.

Board chair Michael O'Neil said the opportunity provides a good understand of where each building's needs are.

"We have an uphill climb, but we are facing them in a realistic way," O'Neil said.

"You are way ahead of many communities," Carter said. "It's a national problem."

Due to the holiday season there is no work session held in December. The next facility assessment will be presented to the board on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at Warren Elementary.

Reporter Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com