Helena Public Schools

Helena voters next month will decide the fate of a more than quarter-billion-dollar public school bond. District officials say their buildings are crumbling, and without new facilities or major improvements, students and teachers could be forced to make painful compromises. Helena Independent Record education reporter Sonny Tapia has been following the story and joined MTPR’s Austin Amestoy with more.

Helena Public Schools officials say a new partnership will bring dedicated art instruction to elementary schools for the first time in years.

Helena Public Schools trustees voted to close its historic Hawthorne Elementary. The district cites the need to close a budget gap.

Helena Public Schools trustees voted to lay off 52 non-tenured teachers during their May 14 meeting.

Montanans in May voted down tax increases to pay for public schools at rates not seen in at least 25 years, according to school board administrators.

Missoula County Public Schools trustees voted Tuesday to approve steep reductions as the district faces an $8 million shortfall. Districts statewide are contending with budgets gutted by the end of COVID-19 relief dollars, declining enrollments and rising costs.

A Helena man pleaded guilty this week to possessing homemade bombs and an unregistered firearm silencer.