HILARY MATHESON
EDUCATION REPORTER
Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region.
IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families.
Recent Stories
Fishing fun for a special cause
Troy Miller, 22, of Anaconda may have had the first catch of the day Thursday — before even boarding a boat — during the 19th annual Fishing Without Barriers Day.
Schools want to build eight new classrooms
Kalispell Public Schools trustees are moving forward with plans to build classroom additions at two elementary schools to relieve overcrowding.
Libby woman expands activities for students
After-school ambassador
Kaide Dodson is an advocate for after-school programming.
Council appoints interim mayor
The Troy City Council has appointed a new interim mayor.
Cancer clouds teacher's retirement plans
On Tuesday, the last school bell rang in second-grade teacher Terry Heinecke’s career.
Kila principal moving to Montessori in Kalispell
After 15 years at Kila School, Principal Renee Boisseau will leave the district to become the new director of Montessori Elementary in Kalispell.
KMS wins orchard in online vote
The online voting for Grace Orchard has proved fruitful for Kalispell Middle School.
Stillwater senior shoots for career as a federal agent
Rikki Stutsman, special agent.
Kalispell school board approves pay increases
Kalispell Public Schools trustees approved salary increases Tuesday after completing negotiations with three bargaining units.
Youth aims for traveling health-care career
Maggie Frankino is planning to take her career on the road and in the sky as a traveling nurse.
Columbia Falls graduate sets sights on becoming an astronaut
The sky isn’t the limit for 18-year-old Becky Griffith.
Mission to Kenya: Cows and CT scans
CT scans and cows were involved in the latest trip to Kenya for Dr. Read and Suzie Vaughan of Kalispell.
Board votes to stay in state coalition
Kalispell Public Schools trustees unanimously voted Tuesday to continue membership in the Montana Quality Education Coalition and pay $4,000 in dues.
Youngsters spin laps for a good cause
The tricycles, bicycles and scooters were out Wednesday morning at Lakeside’s Kidz in Motion Childcare and Activity Center.
Team effort constructs playground in Kalispell
What used to be a field of weeds is being transformed into a playground in the north yard of the Discovery Developmental Center in Kalispell.
Illustrator shows students how it's done
Getting published in the children’s book world has been a combination of hard work, passion and a fair amount of luck according to Montana native Ben Clanton.
Schools switch to local beef suppliers
Kalispell Public Schools’ food service program is moving to source food locally and is saving money by doing so.
Growing gardens at Somers School: 'Learning to feed yourself is a life skill'
Somers Middle School nutrition teacher Robin Vogler’s innovative classroom is outdoors.
Young journalists win Fox News payday
Kyle Schmauch, 20, was reading newspapers on a daily basis by fifth grade, according to his mother.
Rallying for a classmate: Students craft art for benefit event
More than 300 Bigfork students are rallying around fellow student 11-year-old Ember Fortuna.
Small fire sparks school evacuation
St. Matthew’s School in Kalispell was evacuated Thursday morning after smoke alarms went off due to an electrical fire.
Graduation party seeks volunteers
The Crosstown Craze is expected to sweep through Kalispell high schools this year at epidemic rates.
Youth group seeks to connect kids with nature
Co-founders Karen South, Carlos Florey and co-director Carter Eash need help to keep children YAKIN.
Dream room effort sparks emotions
Caleb Speed’s new room would be a dream to any young motocross racing fan.
France trip influences school lunch leader
Jay Stagg is the man behind the scenes of the Whitefish School District’s lunch, breakfast and snack menu.
Vote to help middle school win an orchard
Voting is under way for Kalispell Middle School to win a fruit orchard and name it Grace Orchard after longtime Principal Barry Grace.
Youth's voice to be heard in U.S. choir
Kendrick Lee is a soft-spoken 18-year-old, but when he sings, his voice fills the room.
Five districts seek levy OK
A recent lawsuit settlement with the state Legislature has proved a boon to local public school budgets just before school elections.
Kalispell schools seek approval of two levies
Funding situation better than expected
Kalispell Public Schools trustees Tuesday night heard good news as they were presented with a “better than anticipated” preliminary budget for the 2012-13 school year.
Three school districts to have new superintendents
West Valley, Helena Flats and Cayuse Prairie school districts will have new superintendents for the 2012-13 school year.
New principal to take over at St. Matt's
Lauren Smith of Kalispell will be the new principal at St. Matthew’s Parish School.
Event a showcase for talented students
The second Evening of Fine Arts was a unique opportunity for all the creative programs at Flathead and Glacier high schools to be featured at the same time.
Longtime middle school leader retiring
After 16 years in Kalispell schools and 40 years in education, Kalispell Middle School Principal Barry Grace is retiring.
Annual duck stamp competition is a family affair
Art teacher Lonnie Collinsworth has his ducks in a row, framed and displayed along a wall in his classroom at Whitefish High School.
Creston auction opens to bidders
Annual Creston Auction-goers know the unpredictability the weather holds for the event. With rain and snow usually making an appearance, people came prepared, dressed in layers and tall boots Saturday.
Brothers win big at state science fair
Give just the facts to the Norick brothers, a pair of burgeoning scientists in Columbia Falls.
Students, shelter collaborate on art exhibit
Who cares about homelessness in the Flathead?
Jim Dupont, 1946 - 2012: Community remembers friend, leader
James “Jim” Dupont’s funeral service was filled with as much laughter as sadness.
State grant to help effort to lower dropout rate
Kalispell Public Schools has set a goal to reduce the high school dropout rate from 4.7 percent to 2.5 percent by the 2015-16 school year.
Zooniacs are loose on the airwaves
Celebrating their second anniversary as an online radio show, Jungle Jack’s Zooniacs chart new territory as they report on animal antics in zoos across America.
Good behavior merits a student parade
Helena Flats students are the chiefs of the Montana Behavioral Intiative.
Flathead students craft backyard lookout
In April, one lucky family will win its own backyard fire lookout built by Flathead High School students.
Schools try to sell two properties
Two Kalispell Public School properties may be for sale in the coming months.
Decision-making for youths extends to social media
After a family doctor delivered Mac Bledsoe's first child in 1972, he imparted a piece of advice that Bledsoe never forgot.
Young racer aims to drive for a cause
Motocross and car racer Devin Clayton recently woke from a dream that gave him a new drive in life: to help families dealing with cancer.
Youths get breakfast boost before tests
It’s breakfast on the house for Flathead Valley students, courtesy of McDonald’s.
Students link up with U.S. senator
In a classroom of 37 seventh-grade students, 28 raised their hands when asked if they had ever used Skype. When asked who had talked with a U.S. senator before, five raised their hands.
FHS custodian 'moonlights' as artist
Artwork on display at school gallery
Underneath the neutral color palette of work clothes, a brown button-up shirt and pants, Steve Levesque’s creative spirit peeks through in touches of color — a tie-dye undershirt and turquoise shoelaces.
Stillwater math wizards win in first try year
After winning first place at their first MathCounts competition, the Stillwater Christian School Jedi “Math”ters will take their top mathletes to state.
Bass player tunes up for 'Boss' tour
Like a lot of people who live in the Flathead Valley, Garry Tallent is of retirement age, but unlike most of them he has no desire to give up his “day job” — which in his case means working as bass guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street band.