New principal brings positivity to Muldown Elementary

Dishing out high fives and soothing teary-eyed kindergarteners in the morning drop-off line is all part of the job for the new Muldown Elementary principal. The students have made the first few days of school amazing, said Principal Jennifer Santora. "From the very first moment I stepped on campus, the kids have been giving me hugs, and, 'You're the new principal! We haven't had a girl principal!" she said. "I was excited to continue the great work that Mr. [John] Coyne did here and pick up the amazing culture that is Muldown. It's like a family here, so I felt welcomed from day one." Santora says she sees her role as an "end goal." Raised in Brooklyn, New York, she always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She later went to college in Florida and began her career teaching third and fourth grade. "I spent 14 amazing years in the classroom, which has given me a strong foundation to know and understand what our students and teachers need," Santora said. She said her heart felt pulled to impact and support other teachers, so she earned an educational leadership degree and became a district curriculum specialist. She then spent four

Swan River School Set to Take $1.5 Million Building Reserve Levy Ask to Voters

At Swan River School, the custodian’s office is decorated with “buckets of love” — garlands students put together for the school’s lone staffer dedicated to maintenance. Inside the office are four furnaces, first installed in 1998, that run the heat to eight classrooms on the elementary side of the building.

High School Football scores for Sept. 4, 2026

Class AA: Kalispell Glacier trounces Bozeman, Great Falls CMR upsets Missoula Sentinel

Here is a roundup of scores and highlights from Class AA football action across Montana on Friday night.

Columbia Falls School District Asks Voters to Approve $75.9 Million Bond for High School Improvements

Since AuBonny Nagel graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 2003, she said not much has changed in the building, first constructed in 1958. Fast forward 23 years and Nagel, who now works at First Interstate Bank, has joined forces with a tight-knit group of five volunteers forming the backbone of the Wild Political Action Committee, formed in the spring to advocate for a high school bond that will hit voters’ mailboxes this September.

Cultural Connection Coast to Coast

Salish Kootenai College's Native Youth Community Project Sends Students to Tour Colleges. The Native Youth Community Project (NYCP) is a college and career readiness program for Native American high school students funded by the U.S. Office of Indian Education housed at Salish Kootenai College. NYCP offers tutoring and mentorship for high school students at Polson and Ronan High Schools. The NYCP grant also provides opportunities for students to participate in college campus visits, cultural experiences, and career exploration. In mid-August, two groups of NYCP students had the special opportunity to tour colleges and cultural institutions in New England and California, with tour leaders Morgan Maccione and Janda Chassé.

How to watch Glacier vs Bozeman high school football

Glacier takes on Bozeman tonight as the 2026 high school football schedule ramps up across the country. Searching for how to watch the game live? Fans can stream the Montana high school football game live on the NFHS Network from a laptop, mobile device or even Smart TV apps like Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Google TV and Roku. Don't miss a moment of the game with on-demand replays, too. Ahead of the kickoff, here's what to know about the Glacier vs. Bozeman clash. Looking beyond the football field? The digital streaming service broadcasts the best of preps action from more than 30 sports all season, so fans can watch more of their favorite high school teams . Watch Glacier vs. Bozeman When is Glacier (Montana) vs. Bozeman? Glacier takes on Bozeman on Sept. 4. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT. More: High school football rankings: USA TODAY Sports reveals Week 2 Super 25 Watch Glacier vs. Bozeman This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch Glacier vs Bozeman high school football Information in this article was imported automatically into a template written and reviewed by a USA TODAY Sports editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Charlo kicks off school year with excitement and steady enrollment

When Interim Superintendent Jim Baldwin started at Charlo School District last year, many “naysayers” questioned Charlo’s survival and predicted a continued enrollment decline, but Baldwin said they’re really excited for this year and maintaining steady enrollment. “The whole atmosphere around the school seems positive, and we’re going strong,” Baldwin said. Enrollment at Charlo is 64 in the high and middle schools and 102 in the elementary school. Baldwin said they combined fifth- and sixth-grade classes along with kindergarten and first-grade classes during the afternoon periods because of smaller class sizes. When asked whether they have a set plan to increase enrollment, Baldwin said they are not going to change their standards just to increase numbers. But they welcome any student who is a good citizen because creating good citizens is Charlo’s priority. In Montana, students can transfer to any public school out of district as long as the school board approves that the student can attend the district, which is most commonly determined by the school's classroom space. Baldwin noted that some students who transferred to St. Ignatius the prior year have returned to Charlo, which means “we must be doing something right,” he said. This year Charlo’s new staff

Former superintendent gives insight into high school remodel

I am writing to express my support for the Columbia Falls High School bond project. As your former Columbia Falls Junior High Principal and Superintendent of School District 6, I have a unique perspective on this project and our district’s needs. My 26-year career in the district was the honor of my life, serving students, parents, staff, and the community in this wonderful place we call home. Over the span of my career, several bonds were passed, including the Columbia Falls Junior High bond in the late 1990s and the 2017 bond, which built a new Glacier Gateway Elementary School and remodeled Ruder School. To say the district has been grateful for the community’s past support would be an understatement. There are many reasons a new facility is needed for our high school, which was built in 1959. However, this letter will focus on the grave needs in the areas of safety and security. Unfortunately, these issues are top of mind for all of us, as our children are our most precious gifts. Having discussed school security for many years at the local, state, and national levels, and having participated in numerous trainings and consultations, we understand the challenges schools

Frenchtown rolls past Bigfork in football opener

BIGFORK — The Vikings opened their season with a tough test from Frenchtown right out of the gate on Friday night. Bigfork (0-1) fell 38-0 to the defending state champion Broncs in a Class A non-conference matchup. “We knew we were a young team going into tonight,” Bigfork coach Hunter Johnson said. “They are the champs, but we'll go into the film, we'll get better.” On the fourth play from scrimmage, Bigfork fumbled and Frenchtown took advantage with a 2-yard touchdown run from Jake Forthofer to take the lead 7-0. The Vikings responded with their best drive of the first half. Senior quarterback Alex Ochs connected with sophomore Cooper Porrovecchio for a 40-yard gain to move into the Broncs territory. But the Vikings couldn't finish it off, turning the ball over on downs four plays later. The Broncs responded with another long drive. On fourth-and-3 just past midfield, Cody Forthofer connected with Cooper Michaud for 33 yards before finding him again two plays later for a 3-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead. Frenchtown stretched the lead to 24-0 by halftime behind Brett Kleinsmith's 42-yard field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run from Cole Pfahler. The Broncs then opened the second

An ancient craft in the modern world: the New Agrarian School charts new path forward with first executive director

Reed Miller is in an interesting position: he’s been tasked with bridging the gap between the ancient art of blacksmithing and the modern world that has all but caused its extinction. In his role as the first executive director of Bigfork’s New Agrarian School, he will attempt to do just that. As Miller ambled around the school’s 10 acres near Echo Lake, pointing out the metal bones of old bridges that once spanned the Swan River, Jeffrey Funk, the school’s founder, was teaching a class to six rapt students. Since Miller joined the New Agrarian School last November, this is the arrangement that suits Miller and Funk: Miller handles the public facing duties while Funk’s time is freed up to do what he is most passionate about, namely passing on his decades of wisdom to the next generation. “We're not only spanning generations; we're also spanning different skill sets,” Miller said. “Blacksmithing is core to this school, but down the road we want to have a multi-craft school because the cross-pollination between different crafts is intoxicating, and it's very inspiring to see all these different people from different mediums interact and feed off each other.” With Miller on board, the

FVCC presidential finalists to meet community during September forums

MISSOULA, Mont. — Flathead Valley Community College is inviting the public to meet the four finalists for its next president during campus visits the week of Sept. 14. The finalists are J. Mark Browning, president and CEO of Blue Mountain Community College; Daniel R. Czech, dean of the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Mississippi; Andrew R. Fields, CEO of the University of Idaho Coeur d'Alene; and Deborah Kish Stephan, campus president of Hillsborough College's Brandon Campus.

Takeaways: Flathead much improved; Great Falls High offense explosive

The Great Falls High football team fell late in the season-opener on Friday, Aug. 28, as Kalispell Flathead scored with 20 seconds left to take the nonconference game 34-31 at Memorial Stadium. The Bison (0-1) displayed their share of offensive prowess in the contest but were outgunned on the night by the Braves while also dealing with significant injuries. Great Falls High hits the road to close out its nonconference schedule at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, at Missoula Big Sky. C.M. Russell High (0-1) has its 2026 home debut at the same time against Missoula Sentinel at Memorial Stadium. Here’s the takeaways from the opening game of the season for the Bison. More: Bear Barker clutch as Flathead football upends Great Falls High on late score More: Helena Capital holds off C.M. Russell football in season-opener Flathead looking much improved in 2026 The Braves have been in the lower tier of Class AA programs in recent years, but they no longer resemble a team that will be a cakewalk for anyone in head coach Mac Roche’s second season. Quarterback Bear Barker was phenomenal, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns and continually kept drives alive for the Braves

New Homeschooling Collective Set to Instruct Nearly 300 Students in its First Year

Erin Loechner and her family moved to Montana from Indiana because of a “spiritual experience.” She, her husband and their children are in the throes of building an off-grid cabin in the mountains. With the children pitching in on those efforts and learning about construction, the situation lends itself best to teaching them at home.

Blue Pony Football Opens Season Tonight Against Whitefish

Havre, MT – The Havre Blue Pony football team opens its season tonight at home at 7 p.m. against the Whitefish Bulldogs. NMB Sports spoke with Head Coach Jake Eldridge after Tuesday’s practice about what the team needs to do to start week one with a 1-0 record.

2026 Flathead Valley Fall Sports Preview

After a 2025 fall season filled with individual and team state championships, several Flathead Valley athletes will be on the title defense, while others will make a push to reach the mountain top of Montana high school sports after falling one win short a season ago. The Glacier Wolfpack and...

Tax impact of high school remodel drops significantly

Mail ballots for the $75.9 million bond for Columbia Falls High School go out to voters on Sept. 9. This is the second go-round for the high school remodel request. In November of 2025, a $84.4 million bond election failed by about 1,600 votes. So the school board trimmed about $8.5 million from the project and since then, a group of citizens have been lobbying the public on the project through social media and other community events. The 25-year bond is estimated to have an interest rate of about 4.38%, if it passes. The estimated tax impact on a primary home with an assessed value of $600,000 is now $321. The estimate dropped considerably after the school district received its latest valuation from the state. Previously, the district had estimated it would be about $409 for the same home. The school held its first classes in 1959 and still has fixtures and other infrastructure from that era, save for the classroom wing, which saw a remodel after the roof leaked while it was being replaced a few years ago and was heavily damaged. Insurance covered most of the cost of the damage, while a short-term bond paid for the roof

New principal takes the reins at Somers Middle School

Julia Maxwell may be a mustang now, but the fifth-generation Cascade graduate will always carry some allegiance to the school that raised her and inspired her to become an educator in the first place. “I’m a badger all the way — go Cascade! I’m also a Bobcat,” Maxwell admitted. “But I have sympathy toward the Griz because my husband and kids are Griz fans.” Maxwell is starting her first year as principal of Somers Middle School, bringing with her a wealth of experiences from all aspects of education across Montana, including as a parent, a teacher, a principal and superintendent, and as a member of the Montana Board of Public Education. Education made sense as a career path for Maxwell. “I'm a kid person. I love being with kids,” Maxwell said. “You'll find me outside playing at recess sometimes. I love children and their just their sweet naivety, their sweet positivity about everything. It's just addicting. I’m chasing my own kids to sports and wearing glitter at school games and cheering. Really, my whole life is pretty much taken up by kids.” Maxwell grew up on her family’s cattle ranch in Cascade, a small town between Great Falls and Helena.

Six Lake County teachers receive STEM fellowships through MSU

Montana State University received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Scholarship Program in 2024 to support a project called the Noyce Master Teacher Fellowship for Rural and American Indian School Educators as STEM Leaders. The project, which seeks to improve the number, quality and experience of STEM teachers in rural states like Montana, funded 27 Montana teachers through six-year fellowships, including six from Lake County schools. Polson High math teachers Polly Dupuis and Becky Hoxie and science teacher Mike Sitter, Ronan Middle School math teacher Bill Becker and science teacher Charla Lake, and St. Ignatius Middle School math teacher Marissa Mock each received fellowships. The participants, who were already working as Montana teachers, received tuition for master’s degrees and other resources such as monthly group check-ins, funding for travel to relevant conferences, and a weeklong in-person gathering at MSU each summer. Those who aleady hold master’s are in the program for the professional development, networking opportunities and stipend it provides. This August, the annual gathering provided a chance for fellows to present their master’s research, attend informational sessions at the STEM Summer Institute and Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics MCubed conferences held at MSU