Surplus should aid school security needs

As the systemic failures and oversights surrounding the mass shooting at Uvalde, Texas have come to light in recent months, many have been left wondering: How secure are Northwest Montana’s schools, and what more can be done to ensure such a tragedy never happens here?

Thankfully, local school officials have taken prompt action this summer in analyzing those exact questions.

Through the assistance of a remarkable $60,000 private fundraising effort, seven local school districts — Evergreen, Kalispell, Kila, Troy, West Glacier, West Valley and Whitefish — have collaborated to hire a consulting firm to conduct individual security assessments...