Lance Melton

Several credible threats of violence prompted K-12 school lockdowns from Miles City to Missoula during the academic year that ended in June. School lockdowns can help prevent injuries and death in an emergency, but they can also leave significant emotional impacts on some students.

A bill signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte this week paves the way for the creation of Montana’s largest school health insurance trust. Some of the state’s largest districts are cautiously optimistic the trust could help keep its health plan affordable.

Montana public school advocates say health insurance costs have burdened districts and weighed down employee salaries for years. That could change with a bipartisan proposal heard in the state Legislature on Monday.

Arntzen told MTPR that her potential rule would seek exemptions for school policies to allow parents to make "responsible choices." She says the rule is needed because the "one-size-fits-all" model doesn’t work for all kids in school.

Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office Tuesday announced a new emergency rule telling public school districts they should consider input from parents and provide exemptions when it comes to mask mandates. Public health experts say the rule undermines measures to keep kids safe in schools.

County health officials across Montana are grappling with a new state law that says they can’t treat vaccinated and unvaccinated people differently. Health officials and school districts working to keep students in the classroom could face a difficult choice: Follow Montana law, or follow recommendations from federal health agencies.

Montana school officials are grappling with new mask guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the first day of classes. The state’s superintendent of public instruction is advocating for personal choice while public health experts push for mandates.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction has submitted a plan to distribute $382 million to schools from federal pandemic aid. The state’s public schools…

Missoula County Public Schools is one of the first in the state to offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tailored for kids 12 and older, right before schools…

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued an opinion May 27 claiming public schools are prohibited by state and federal law from teaching certain…