House nixes program modeled after Hays-Lodge Pole effort

A bill that would have provided assistance to four troubled school districts in Montana was narrowly defeated by the Montana House twice this weekend.

The Schools of Promise program would have been modeled after the federally funded program that is credited with helping the turnaround of the troubled Hays-Lodge Pole school district.

The House voted 50-50 on the bill Friday, meaning it fell just one vote short. The House voted 52-47 Saturday against a motion to reconsider.

State Superintendent of the Office Public Instruction Denise Juneau said that even though she was disappointed with the vote, she was pleased with the support the proposal got. The opposition was “concerned about certain money issues,” Juneau told the Havre Daily News, and not the value of the program.

Federal funds allowed Juneau’s department to choose four schools for the Schools of Promise program. The grant has run out in three of those schools but is in its first year at Hays-Lodge Pole.

The legislation defeated this weekend would have used state funds to extend the program to four new troubled schools.

The federal program was successful in turning around the schools, she said.

Great progress is being made at Hays-Lodge Pole, she said.

“You can just feel the excitement when you walk in that school,” said Juneau, who took part in kickoff celebrations for the program in August.

Hays-Lodge Pole was chosen for the project because it had the second-lowest test scores in the state, and the district was in turmoil because of school board politics.

School officials say test results are on the rise and disciplinary problems are going down.

Under the program, OPI assigns mentors to work teachers, the school board and the administration, and special programs to assist students are created. Unlike troubled schools in some other states, there is no state takeover. Control remains with the local school board.

Many House Democrats spoke emotionally, even tearfully, when they spoke in favor of Juneau’s proposal.

For the most part, Republicans objected to the plan because of the cost.

Rep. Roy Hollandsworth, R-Brady, said he voted for it in the appropriation subcommittee he chairs, but switched gears when it got to the floor, and he realized how far over-budget educational programs were.

Some Republicans suggested that Juneau take the money out of her $2 billion budget.

She said after the session that the $2 billion is just a pass-through, it is already promised to school districts around the state.

Rep. G. Bruce Meyers, R-Box Elder, was the only Hi-Line lawmaker to vote for the proposal.