Friends of Billings Public Schools

Such a sad state of affairs… ICE targeting our tax dollars towards parents trying to make sure their children are prepared for school.

United Way reviewing event policy after ICE nabs 2 families after Billings drive United Way of Yellowstone County is speaking out after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained two families at its annual backpack and school supply drive last week

And they’ll probably close schools in densely populated areas in order to afford the new school on the outskirts of town.

Food for thought

School closures are commonly touted as a financially responsible strategy to right-size cash-strapped districts.

But a new study suggests that the money saved is largely offset by the money lost when students withdraw from the district altogether.

🏫 Read more: https://bit.ly/3Qic3fq

This will be interesting to follow:

Lawsuit accuses Massachusetts schools of segregating students of color in low-opportunity districts A lawsuit filed on behalf of students and community organizations in Massachusetts argues the state is illegally maintaining schools that are racially segregated, concentrating Black and Latino students in high-poverty districts with fewer opportunities.

https://www.ktvq.com/us-news/education/new-pediatric-guidance-says-kids-need-more-recess-not-less

New pediatric guidance says kids need more recess, not less Recess isn’t just a fun break for grade schoolers. It’s crucial to good health and good grades for kids of all ages.

Butte, Missoula and Bozeman schools will be operating with the full per-student funding the states formula allows. Billings schools will not be. https://montanafreepress.org/2026/05/06/public-school-levies-pass-in-3-of-montanas-larger-school-districts-fail-in-3-others/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARo7ExleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe56Sf2frQ2y3LAX0l-61Hv2R_d6Y0My-zyk3uM6LJBari6UlVoO5-7uHGNv4_aem_QLzJ_-mR2vK9Lpu2QetoZQ

Public school levies pass in 3 of Montana's larger school districts, fail in 3 others Districts in Bozeman, Missoula and Butte saw success. Voters rejected levy requests in Billings, Helena and Kalispell, reflecting a tough environment for funding requests.

We should pass general mill levies regularly, whenever the formula allows us to ask for one. When will we learn?

UPDATED: Billings voters shoot down two school levies Voters have decided against two Billings Public School levies, according to unofficial election results Tuesday night.

From Gazette: Billings Public Schools Superintendent said today that upcoming levies will fund school improvements for kids and benefit the community through better resource use.

FOBPS says...don't overthink general mill levies. Just vote yes. You are not sending any kind of message to SD2 with your no vote. They already know no one likes taxes. But, seriously, general mill levies are equalizers. The amount they can ask for is capped based on a formula designed to make sure all kids in Montana receive a very similar per pupil funding amount...we have to pay our share locally so our kids are invested in at the same rate as kids across the state. Just VOTE YES! Give SD2 the funds the formula says they need to properly invest in our childen!

Anyone remember ten years or so ago that Rimrock Elementary was in such bad repair that it was not able to be considered as any part of a solution to our space issues? I’m glad it’s being used and invested in now, but I do want people to remember that it wasn’t considered useable space when sd2 was moving sixth graders out of elementary schools and pushing for two new middle schools and two enlarged title elementary schools for 122 million dollars. I’d like to see SD2 be consistent and transparent about our buildings’ usability instead of creating narratives to support mission to continue march to fewer and larger schools, and away from our beloved walkable/bikable neighborhood school system.

Rimrock Learning Center raising money to build inclusive playground The Rimrock Learning Center is pushing closer to its goal of building an inclusive playground but needs more help to get across the finish line.

Never good to see enrollment declining…

Birth rates are down 15% and the cost of living in Missoula is 16% higher than the average in Montana. Fewer students means less state funding for MCPS – but day-to-day operating costs have increased.

The budget for a new school year is based on the number of students and includes balancing costs of class sizes, staffing, and programs while delivering quality education.

Look for your MCPS Levy Ballot next week.

*Birth rate data from CDC, COL data from the Economic Research Institute