Editor's Note: This story is the first in a three-part series regarding the upcoming school bond election on Sept. 9, with ballots set to be mailed Aug. 22.

The Helena Public Schools board of trustees unanimously voted in June to present $283 million in bond issues to voters to address three schools with aging facilities.

Helena and Capital high schools and Kessler Elementary School would be impacted by the bonds, if passed by voters on Sept. 9. Ballots will be sent out Aug. 22 and must be received by the Lewis and Clark County Elections office by 8 p.m. Sept. 9.

"Across our Helena Public Schools, our buildings are aging — the average facility is over 70 years old — and decades of deferred maintenance have taken a toll," district officials said. "Failing systems, outdated learning en

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