Molly Blakely

A first-of-its-kind statewide health insurance trust for school employees got the green light from state regulators last week. Administrators are hopeful it could help control one of education’s most expensive line items.

Many Montana schools faced defeat at the ballot box this May as they requested taxpayer dollars to pay for upgrades that keep students and staff safe. Two Missoula-area schools that say they won’t be able to keep their security up to date.