Feds kick in $143,648 for Billings high school study

Billings Public Schools will get a federal boost to study the best ways to educate its high school
students.
The district was notified Tuesday that it has been awarded a one-year $143,648 grant from the Department
of Education through the department’s smaller learning communities program.

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"This funding will support the work of the high school study," Superintendent Jo Swain said.
She was notified Tuesday by a spokesman for Sen. Max Baucus.

The district began the high school study last fall to find ways to improve educating students. To tighten the
focus, the group charged with the task narrowed its study’s scope to the school day itself.
The Board of Trustees set aside $25,000 to cover costs of the initial one-year study.
Since the study began last fall, a survey has been conducted of the community, as well as parents,
students, teachers and staff. Small study groups also have researched specific alternatives under the broad
categories of nontraditional classroom settings, graduation requirements and scheduling.
One possible pilot project the district may undertake in spring 2003 at Skyview High School is
implementing a seven-period day. High-school students now attend school for six periods.
Whether the project takes place remains a matter of negotiation between the district and the Billings
Education Association, the union that represents the district’s 1,100 teachers.
Swain said the additional federal money will give more flexibility to members of the high-school study
committee.
"What it will do for us is allow members of our team to do onsite visits in the Midwest, to look at the way
successful high-school programs are structured," Swain said. "It can also be used for other costs, such as pilot
projects and additional staff training."
This is the second time School District 2 applied for the competitive grant. The first time, the district did not
receive the money.

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