School election results: Kila, Smith Valley bonds rejected
Voter turnout was high and votes were close in multiple school elections Tuesday.
Whitefish and Glacier rank in Montana’s top three high schools in US News rankings
Whitefish High School ranks second in the state and Glacier High School third in the state, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best High Schools list.
2024 District Music Festival results
Northwest Montana’s student musicians showcased their talent at the District 1 Music Festival. Bands, orchestras and choirs from 10 schools participated in the festival held at Glacier High schools.
West Valley seeking approval of two levies
West Valley School District voters are reminded to return mailed ballots for the May 7 election. A $347,000 general fund levy and an $83,000 technology levy are on the ballot.
Smith Valley seeks approval for $1.8M bond to rebuild classrooms gutted by mold and asbestos
A $1.8 million bond issue is on the ballot to restore a building of Smith Valley School that was gutted to remove mold and asbestos.
Cayuse Prairie School prepares to switch to four-day week
Cayuse Prairie School is moving to a four-day week next school year to balance the budget.
Two levies will be on the May ballot for Kalispell Public Schools
Kalispell Public Schools is putting a high school general fund levy and an elementary technology levy on the May ballot for amounts that still fall short of covering a looming budget deficit.
CRYJ — A model for youth restorative justice in Montana
Spending one to three months working on accountability, roughly 95% of participants will walk out that door having completed “restorative agreements,” entered into by the teens and their families, according to CRYJ Executive Director Catherine Gunderson.
A figure of speech — Flathead High School teacher named Speech Coach of the Year
To say it’s been a whirlwind year for Flathead High School speech and debate head coach and English teacher Shannon O’Donnell is an understatement.
Flathead High speech and debate member wins Student of the Year
Flathead High School senior Rachel Ottman received top accolades being named the 2024 Student of the Year for the Montana West District of the National Speech and Debate Association.
The importance of inclusion — Pair raise awareness on improving the mental health of students with disabilities for state event
Twenty-seven Flathead High School HOSA — Future Health Professionals students are preparing for the state competition April 2-4.
Teen dies after hit by truck in Kila
A 13-year-old boy has died after he was reportedly struck by a vehicle on U.S. 2 in Kila Saturday.
Helena Flats principal selected for Ruder Elementary position
Helena Flats School Principal Allison Hawes will be the new principal of Ruder Elementary School in Columbia Falls.
Kila School to put $8 million bond issue on the ballot for expansion
Kila School is moving forward with an $8 million bond issue in a May mail ballot election to expand the school.
Gunning to be the best: Teens take part in local shooting league
Standing with her feet hip-distance apart, Flathead Valley Pheasants Forever Youth Shooting League member Abbi Townsend leans into her slightly bent, forward-facing leg. Resting her cheek against the buttstock of her double-barreled shotgun she shouts, “Pull.”
The Honey Girl of Auschwitz — a story of survival and forgiveness
In the face of death, Holocaust survivor Esther Basch found life.
Spelling savant: Columbia Falls student wins county bee
Columbia Falls Junior High seventh-grader Lily Aveson is the 2024 Flathead County Spelling Bee champion. The winning word was “bereavement.”
Determination and compassion — A student leader’s perseverance through pain
As an aspiring neurosurgeon, the 4.0 student is prepared to be immersed in academia for at least the next decade with the end goal of obtaining a medical degree and doctorate.
RoboScout Squad codes a state win, ready for world championship
The Kalispell-based RoboScout Squad motors forward to the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Houston after a stellar performance at the state level.
Films honored at FLIC festival
Winners of the 12th annual Flathead Lake International Cinemafest (FLIC) in Polson have been announced in 13 categories with Corey Payette’s “Les Filles du Roi” taking Best Picture for a feature-length film and Best Director.
DECA students take the lead in business competition
Emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs from Glacier, Whitefish and Flathead high schools advance to the DECA International Career Development Conference April 27-30 in Anaheim, California.
Speech and debate students secure spots at nationals
Twenty local speech and debate stars shined over the weekend at the 2024 West District national qualifying tournament.
West Valley board calls for ‘redo’ in choosing new superintendent
West Valley School District’s Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting today to redo its vote selecting a new superintendent following a “procedural glitch” at a previous meeting.
Charter schools are coming to Kalispell
Flathead and Glacier high schools are moving forward with charter school rollouts. The two high schools will begin gauging student interest this week and next week as students start registering for the 2024-25 year.
Kalispell Public Schools taps assistant superintendent for top job
The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday to make Matt Jensen district superintendent.
Takes two at Kalispell tango nights
Outside the Kalispell South Campus building on a chilly January night, the large windows frame a portrait of a brightly lit room of dancing couples in the close embrace of the Argentine tango.
Filing window opens for school board trustee candidates
School elections are coming up and people wishing to serve on a school board have until March 28 to file paperwork to appear on the ballot.
Columbia Falls takes Class A state title after undefeated season
Columbia Falls High School capped another undefeated season as the 2024 state champions on home turf.
State title a ‘Cinderella win’ for Flathead High School speech and debate
The tenacity of this year’s Flathead High School speech and debate team paid off with a state title, beating defending champ, Bozeman.
Kalispell Public Schools trustee board narrows superintendent search
The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees narrowed applicants for its superintendent position to four finalists they want to interview the week of Feb. 5.
Kalispell school board to review applications for superintendent
Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees will review seven applications submitted for the superintendent position in selecting finalists to interview during its Tuesday, Jan. 23 meeting.
Columbia Falls speech and debate win divisionals
The Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team brought home the hardware from Stevensville as the Class A Western Divisional tournament.
Montana mining history — Kalispell eighth-graders pan for gold and garnets
A sign above history teacher Kris Schreiner's classroom alerted Kalispell Middle School eighth graders they were entering Alder Gulch to mine for gold and garnets.
Bomb threat sent to Montana schools not credible, according to law enforcement
Kalispell Public Schools was one of many districts around Montana to receive a threatening email about a bomb. Law enforcement in counties around the state determined it wasn’t a credible threat, according to Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
Flathead student runs on supportive leadership
Flathead High School senior Hailey Hendrickson is a motivated student-athlete and decisive leader who guides others with encouragement and kindness.
Kalispell Public Schools levies on tap for May election
The school district may also choose to cancel but had to approve the elections to meet upcoming state deadlines. Amounts will be set at a later date.
Glacier speech and debate team secures home turf win at Yeti Invitational
Glacier High School captured first place on home turf this weekend at the Yeti Invitational speech and debate tournament, followed by runner-up, Flathead High School.
Donors have limited window to support schools and get dollar-for-dollar tax credits
The race begins for Montana public and private schools to secure a slice of $5 million in donations — and for donors to get dollar-for-dollar tax credits in return for supporting innovative education or scholarships.
Judges needed for The Yeti speech and debate tournament this weekend at Glacier High
Glacier High School will host The Yeti speech and debate tournament Friday and Saturday. The Yeti continues to offer exciting changes to the traditional tournament format.
Though down from 2022, public school enrollment is up over the past decade
Public schools in Flathead County overall saw a negligible -1% decrease in enrollment compared to 2022 with a total enrollment of 15,173 kindergarten through 12-graders.
The sounds of Christmas — A Christmas Carol Radio Show broadcast
For many people, Christmas conjures up visions of Santa Claus in his red suit, reindeer dashing across the sky, snowmen in top hats, and presents under twinkling trees. Yet it’s also rich with sound — carolers singing, sleigh bells jingling, crackling fires, a hearty “ho, ho, ho” from jolly St. Nick and “A Christmas Carol,” playing on the radio.
Parents criticize Helena Flats School following charges against superintendent
Superintendent Andy Maheras earlier this month pleaded not guilty to two charges of misdemeanor assault related to the incident. Maheras, who is on paid administrative leave and working from home while the case is pending, was in attendance.
Columbia Falls edges out Whitefish at speech and debate tourney
Columbia Falls High School speech and debate edged out Whitefish for the top spot at the Whitefish Invitational.
Helena Flats superintendent facing assault charges involving student
Helena Flats School Superintendent Andy Maheras has been charged with misdemeanor assault following an alleged altercation with a 12-year-old student in August.
Kalispell speech and debate teams earn first and second at Western Regional
Glacier and Flathead high schools swept the competition on their home turf, securing the top two spots at the Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament.
Young Polson musician drawn to sound of violin
The youngster, whose jaw doesn’t quite yet reach the chin rest on his violin, recently gave his first performance at McClaren Hall in the Wachholz College Center alongside his instructor, and godparent, Wai Mizutani.
Code Girls takes programming to next level developing app for Kalispell Police
Code Girls United is developing an app for the Kalispell Police Department to go digital in managing its fleet of vehicles.
'We're a home': Sparrow's Nest marks a decade of providing unaccompanied teens a safe haven
Taking the first step up the stairs of Sparrow’s Nest of Northwest Montana’s residential house in Kalispell is symbolic of the upward journey many homeless teens' lives will take.
Glacier High School's athletic staff look to change culture after hazing allegations
Heading into the winter sports season, Glacier High School athletic staff are re-emphasizing the importance of “a strong climate and culture” within its programs after sexual assault and hazing allegations were brought against the school’s wrestling program a year ago.
Family plumbing and heating company expands
Plumb-Rite Plumbing and Heating, Inc. marks 20 years as a family-owned business with a facility expansion at its location at 2124 U.S. 2 E. in Evergreen.