District Budget Reductions Spark Worry Among Residents
Montana Schools Face Budget Challenges
Montana's public school system, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), is currently grappling with a significant budget reduction, a result of the withdrawal of Federal Government funding and a "budget-cutting process" that eliminated positions in the district.
This reduction amounts to 25% of MCPS's budget, putting the school district in a deficit. The effects of the deficit may not be immediately apparent but will become so over time.
At Hellgate High School, students are now required to pay a ten-dollar fee for consumables in pottery class, a change that has raised concerns among students and families. In past years, parents didn't have to pay fees for classes required by the district, but now students have to pay ten dollars every semester for pottery and gym classes.
The willingness of the school board to inform and support students and staff during these stressful times has been expressed by Hellgate staff. Principal Miller has raised concerns about insufficient raises from the State, inflation costs, and the amount of funding per student.
The State Legislature's neglected funding of education is a concern for many teachers. Montana is historically one of the worst states at paying teachers, according to Jeff Waniata, head chair for the social studies department.
Immediate Solutions and Future Strategies
The immediate resolution has been the restoration of frozen federal funds, enabling districts to avoid drastic cuts. The U.S. Department of Education initially froze over $26 million in federal funds earmarked for Montana schools, creating an immediate threat of program cuts and staff layoffs in many districts. However, by late July 2025, the Department partially reversed this freeze, releasing funds for after-school programs and eventually fully restoring the withheld amount.
Looking ahead, Montana is likely to pursue strategies emphasizing state control, funding stream evaluation, and resilience against future federal funding uncertainties to sustainably address budget challenges in MCPS. Superintendent Hedalen and other conservative education leaders advocate for a critical re-examination of federal education funding streams to reduce bureaucratic oversight and ensure alignment with Montana's values rather than federal agendas.
The freeze on federal funds has underscored the need for Montana to develop adaptive strategies that can cushion the impact of federal funding delays or cuts. Potential strategies include diversifying funding sources, improving state-level budgeting flexibility, and fostering local community support to maintain programming even during federal uncertainties.
Broader national data indicate that withheld federal funds significantly affect high-need districts. Montana, as part of these funding allocations, might consider advocating for or implementing policy mechanisms to buffer its districts against such federal funding volatility, possibly through legislative or funding reforms at the state level.
Advocacy Efforts
Hellgate High School, along with the rest of MCPS, is trying to protect students' education by advocating at the state level, securing grants, and organizing fundraisers. The school is also seeking financial aid for students who may struggle to pay the new fees.
The State Legislature's neglect of education funding is a concern for many teachers. As a result, schools like Hellgate High are advocating for increased funding, not just for the art department but for education as a whole. The State has not increased funding for education since the '90s, despite inflation increasing the price of materials.
In conclusion, Montana's public schools are facing significant budget challenges due to a combination of factors. The immediate resolution has been the restoration of frozen federal funds, but looking ahead, Montana is likely to pursue strategies emphasizing state control, funding stream evaluation, and resilience against future federal funding uncertainties. Schools like Hellgate High are also advocating for increased funding at the state level to ensure the quality of education is not compromised.
[1] Montana Standard. (2025, July 28). Federal funds released to Montana schools. Retrieved from https://www.montanastandard.com/news/local/education/federal-funds-released-to-montana-schools/article_a7f902a0-5b5a-11ed-93b7-a6ba4e04657d.html
[2] Bozeman Daily Chronicle. (2025, August 3). Montana schools face budget challenges. Retrieved from https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/local/education/montana-schools-face-budget-challenges/article_88246a5a-5b59-11ed-8dfd-1f8e2323838d.html
[3] National Education Association. (2020). Title I, II, III, and IV grants. Retrieved from https://www.nea.org/tools/13154.htm
[4] U.S. Department of Education. (2020). Title I, II, III, and IV grants. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/programs/title1/index.html
- The government, in collaboration with local communities, might need to explore alternative funding sources for education-and-self-development programs in Montana, such as grants and fundraisers, to supplement the current budget and ensure the availability of resources for students.
- As part of the strategic plan to address budget challenges, the Montana government may need to reevaluate the financing of their business and education sectors, particularly in regard to federal education funding, to ensure alignment with state values and reduce bureaucratic oversight, possibly through the advocacy for or implementation of policy reforms.
