Miles City Elementary School District
Miles City schools are considering a policy requiring a reasonable attempt to notify a parent before searching a student in a non-emergency situation.
Read the full storyWe bring transparency to school decisions nationwide by tracking school board meetings, district documents, and public data. We use AI tools, rigorously evaluated for accuracy, to search for risks.
The policy desk
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The policy desk
How artificial intelligence is changing classrooms and school rules.
The policy desk
Students speaking up, organizing and helping shape their schools.
The news desk
Garfield County District High School
On September 15, 2026 the board changed the activities handbook so student eligibility is checked by semester instead of by quarter.
A special meeting on September 15, 2026 was called to consider paying a delinquent tax bill from 2020 and a proposed tax settlement over the district's 2023 1099 forms. The agenda does not give amounts.
Havre Elementary School District
The board moved forward with a grant application for Lincoln-McKinley restroom accessibility and safety work, a roof, and flooring.
Keith Miller said he was beginning his first year as superintendent of Butte School District 1.
The August 26, 2026 special meeting agenda included "discussion and information on Accreditation status" for the school. Without posted minutes, what was reported is not known.
In March 2026 the board adopted a resolution estimating changes in revenue and mills, and posted a notice of intent to raise levies for 2027. In April the superintendent reported a preliminary budget of about $1.29 million. The board adopted the 2026-27 budget at a special 7 a.m. meeting on August 24, 2026.
Voters approved a technology levy that will raise $320,000 a year for Butte High School over 10 years. The district says it has already ordered laptops with the funds.
On August 18, 2026 the board approved student handbook changes. If a student drops a dual-credit or online course after the drop date, the family must pay the district back for the course. Work-based learning credit now requires an internship.
At the August 18, 2026 budget hearing the board adopted the 2026-27 budget. The business manager said the new county-wide equalization of school mills means the district will levy about 42.31 fewer mills than last year, and about 50 fewer over two years.
Valier Elementary School District #18
The board approved an updated attendance policy (#3122) on August 18, 2026. High school students who miss more than 8 school days in a quarter get an 'Incomplete' grade, and days past the limit must be made up in June summer school. Medical absences need a doctor's note within 72 hours.
Valier Elementary School District #18
Under the 2026-27 student handbook, K-8 students give their phones and smartwatches to the elementary secretary when they arrive and get them back after school. High school students must keep phones in a locker or classroom holder and can use them only before school, at lunch, between classes and after school.
North Star High School District
On August 13, 2026, the board voted 4-0 that junior high football players can either practice in Rudyard and serve as high school team managers, with no local games, or join Havre's junior high program if parents drive them. C-J-I declined a co-op, and Big Sandy was not workable.
In January 2026 the superintendent reported new roof leaks near the music room after earlier roof repairs. In summer 2026 trustees approved door fob locks ($37,714), junior high lockers ($40,625), security cameras ($12,396), shop exhaust repairs ($16,498) and up to $30,000 for sidewalks, mostly from building reserve and multi-district funds.
On August 11, 2026 trustees adopted a 2026-27 budget of $4,900,888 across all funds at 166.00 mills, including $3,048,420 for the general fund. The 2025-26 budget was $5,061,442 at 215.32 mills. The district's SB 307 presentation says enrollment has steadily decreased.
Garfield County District High School
In July and August 2026 the board hired at least four teachers, including a shop teacher, under emergency licenses, which let people teach before they are fully certified. Earlier in 2026 the board had few applicants, approved J-1 visa hiring, and decided not to sponsor green cards for three foreign teachers.
Jordan Elementary School District
With teaching jobs unfilled, the board hired four teachers under emergency licensure in July and August 2026. In May it let the superintendent pursue J-1 visas for foreign teachers, after deciding green-card sponsorship for three current foreign teachers was too much for the district.
The student handbook says students must keep phones in their locker or the school office. They may use them only before school and at lunch. Teachers decide when laptops and other devices are used, and phones are banned in locker rooms.
Garfield County District High School
Insurance approved replacing the gym floor, and Western Sport Floors expected to work from about September 1 to November 10, 2026. Some volleyball games were moved to other gyms. New backwater valves were also bought to stop sewer water backing up into the gym.
Garfield County District High School
By July 21, 2026, Julie Elias was the district's principal and reported that her move into Jordan Public Schools was going well. The June 16 agenda listed hiring a principal/superintendent, but the June minutes are not posted, so the hiring vote and contract terms are not public online.
Valier Elementary School District #18
On July 14, 2026 the board approved a three-year high school volleyball co-op with Conrad Public Schools. The board noted that all of Valier's girls' teams now play through co-ops with other schools.
Butte Elementary School District
At its July 2, 2026 special meeting, the board approved a new contract for Superintendent Miller. The board heard that the contract had been negotiated the day before and included three verbal amendments, including a $100,000 district-paid term-life-insurance benefit and a longevity-bonus retirement incentive.
Montana Board of Public Education
On June 22, 2026, the Board conditionally approved the Superintendent’s recommended changes to the statewide MAST math and English-language-arts assessment system. The approval requires OPI, working with the Board, to convene a task force on instructional usefulness, score reporting, testing burden and feedback, professional development, and educator trust in data. The minutes do not establish later implementation.
Closer to home
Explore the national edition and nearby communities.
