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• Warm winters a money saver for Missoula schools Play Video

  April 6, 2012 2:04 PM

  MISSOULA- The brilliant sun this winter and early spring has been like money in the bank to school districts in western Montana. The cruel winter storms of one year ago had the Missoula Public School District scrambling to cover higher expenses, something they avoided this school year. "If we... more »

• Apostle now 1 of 2 finalists for Spokane schools slot

  April 2, 2012 4:16 PM

  MISSOULA- Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Apostle is now one of two finalists for the superintendent position in Spokane. Apostle told Montana's News Station over the weekend that he will be interviewing for the position on April 11th and April 12th. Apostle took his position in... more »

• MCPS teachers anxious; 36 contracts in jeopardy Play Video

  March 28, 2012 12:14 AM

  MISSOULA - Budget balancing is adding stress to the school year for teachers and administrators. Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) notified 36 non-tenured teachers on Tuesday that it will not renew their contracts until the district secures funding in its budget. Superintendent Alex Apostle said the district is postponing... more »

• MCPS taking new approach to budget development Play Video

  February 29, 2012 1:08 PM

  MISSOULA- It's a process with no pre-conceived notions or "sacred cows" and a 30-person panel is getting closer to developing its list of priorities that will guide next year's budget for Missoula County Public Schools. The development of a school budget is usually a pretty tedious process as district... more »

• All Missoula County Public schools closed Friday

  January 19, 2012 7:22 PM

  MISSOULA- All Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS), that includes elementary, middle and high schools, will be closed Friday January 20th. This also includes the Life Long Learning Center, Missoula International School, and all Friday school activities are also cancelled. MCPS says the decision to close school Friday is... more »

• Investigation finds MCPS election results fraud-free Play Video

  September 21, 2011 12:29 AM

  MISSOULA- A Missoula accountant is convinced the results from May's school election are fraudulent, but the Missoula County Attorney and investigators concluded there is no evidence to support that claim: except for a glitch in reporting software. "I couldn't find anything to indicate anything other than a honest and... more »

• Missoula students heading back to school

  August 24, 2011 12:07 PM

  MISSOULA- Summer is quickly coming to an end for students across Western Montana, including in Missoula. The first day of school...if you can believe it...for Missoula County Public School students will be on Monday, August 29th. Students in the following elementary and middle schools begin classes on August 29th:... more »

• MCPS, teachers, reach tentative contract deal

  June 16, 2011 3:00 PM

  MISSOULA- A tentative one year deal has been hammered out between Missoula County Public Schools and the Missoula Education Association and teachers will not be seeing a hike in pay during the coming school year. However, a press release issued Thursday afternoon points out that educators who are eligible... more »

• MCPS looks ahead after levy requests pass Play Video

  May 17, 2011 10:18 AM

  MISSOULA- Montana's public schools are cutting their budgets to try to make up for lost state money and to prepare for the worst, the Missoula County Public School district notified 90 certified staff members back in March that they could lose their job. But, taxpayers approved school tax levies... more »

• PREVIEW: Voters back MCPS request, where the money will go

  May 16, 2011 12:28 PM

  MISSOULA- Nearly 90 Missoula County Public School teachers and certified staff spent over a month wondering if they'd have a job next year. The situation became a waiting game to see how much money the state legislature gave schools and whether voters approved requested levies. One Missoula third... more »

• MCPS levies will save teaching jobs Play Video

  May 5, 2011 12:32 AM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public School officials will soon tell dozens of non-tenured teachers that they will get to keep their jobs. Voters approved four requested levies on Tuesday, two of which will help bring teachers back: good news for the Missoula County Public School teachers who received notice... more »

• Missoula passes school levy requests Play Video

  May 4, 2011 8:43 AM

  MISSOULA- Schools put their future in the hands of the voters Tuesday as a drop in state funding led many districts to ask taxpayers to support levies. The election was a positive one for Missoula County Public Schools as voters approved all four levy requests. With all 100 percent... more »

• MCPS superintendent pleased with levy results

  May 4, 2011 1:04 AM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools can breathe a sigh of relief Tuesday night as it appears voters have approved all four of its levy requests. With 93 percent of the votes counted, most voters said "yes" to the elementary and high school general fund levy requests. These will... more »

• Where to drop off your Missoula County school ballots

  May 2, 2011 12:04 PM

  MISSOULA- Ballots for the Missoula County Public school election must be returned to election officials by 8 p.m. on Tuesday May 3rd to be counted in the election. There are four levy requests on this ballot. The proposals would mean that residents who have a home assessed at $200,000... more »

• Apostle makes case for school levies request Play Video

  May 2, 2011 11:13 AM

  MISSOULA- The deadline is just about upon us and Missoula County Public School officials are hoping that voters will approve a quartet of school levy measures during Tuesday's mail-in election. MCPS is running a building reserve levy and an operations levy for elementary schools and high schools. The building... more »

• Missoula schools seeking approval of 4 levies

  April 29, 2011 11:54 AM

  MISSOULA- The Missoula County Public School district is asking voters to help maintain its buildings and keep more teachers. MCPS is running a building reserve levy and an operations levy for elementary schools and high schools. The building reserves replace two expiring levies and funds would go directly toward... more »

• Local group working to help Western Montana schools

  April 22, 2011 2:58 PM

  MISSOULA - A group of businesses and community leaders want to make the future bright for students and are encouraging people to vote "yes" on the upcoming school levies. Friends of Public Education organization's first project is to help Missoula County Public Schools pass proposed K-12 levies. The group... more »

• MCPS asks taxpayers to support schools in 4 levies Play Video

  March 31, 2011 12:43 AM

  MISSOULA- Missoula County Public Schools trustees are frustrated state lawmakers have not made a decision about school funding. During a special board meeting Wednesday, one trustee said they now have to "leap before they look" by estimating how much money they'll need from taxpayers in order to meet the... more »

• Missoula school planning evacuation drill

  February 24, 2011 8:34 AM

  MISSOULA - Talk about some bad timing! School officials are planning to hold an evacuation and reunification exercise at Franklin Elementary School on Thursday. The drill will begin at around 9:30 a.m., and we haven't heard if the bad weather will put a hold to the plans. It's part... more »

• MCPS asks voters to renew building reserve levies Play Video

  February 17, 2011 11:57 PM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools administrators want voters to help pay for building maintenance costs by renewing two levies. Voters passed the Elementary Building Reserve Levy for K-8 facilities in 2006 and the High School Building Reserve in 2004, and both are up for renewal this year. ... more »

• Report details Missoula 21st Century learning plans Play Video

  February 17, 2011 5:43 PM

  MISSOULA - A new report adapting Missoula schools 21st Century teaching says staff and parents are willing and aware of how classrooms need to change. But, the survey also finds the current focus on "standardized tests" and "instructional consistency" might not be the best way to prepare students for... more »

• Missoula schools hosting budget meetings

  February 10, 2011 4:34 PM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools are sponsoring a series of community meetings over the next three months to help school employees, parents and community members learn more about next year's elementary and high school budgets. The meetings will also go over the building reserve levies that will be... more »

• New varsity letters among items MCPS trustees approve Play Video

  February 9, 2011 12:06 AM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County high school students can earn a varsity letter in two more activities: taekwondo and indoor track and field. Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) board of trustees approved the two additional letters among a variety of other requests Monday night. This winter's snowfall has MCPS... more »

• MCPS Graduation Matters goes statewide Play Video

  January 19, 2011 5:26 PM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools officials are celebrating its one-year anniversary of the Graduation Matters Missoula program. Educators were trying to pump up the community in a new effort to help students graduate from high school just about a year ago. MCPS Superintendent Alex Apostle says this... more »

• MCPS superintendent hopes for legislature's support Play Video

  January 19, 2011 12:54 AM

  MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools are bracing for budget news from Helena as legislators decide how much money education will receive in 2011. In the meantime, MCPS superintendent Alex Apostle said the district's policy is optimistic. "Prepare for the worst and hope for the very best," Apostle... more »

• MCPS renews contract for Superintendent Apostle

  January 12, 2011 6:20 PM

  MISSOULA- The Missoula School Board renewed Superintendent Alex Apostle's contract for another three years sighting a glowing performance. A review conducted January 4th listed achievements from pushing 21st Century schools initiative, to cutting down the drop out rate and the international baccalaureate program. The new contract did not... more »

• Apostle: MCPS soon to be "best school district in MT" Play Video

  January 5, 2011 8:49 PM

  MISSOULA - Missoula School Superintendent Alex Apostle says that Missoula will soon be the best school district in the state thanks to a trio of current initiatives. The three initiatives are Graduation Matters Missoula, 21st Century Schools, and Student Achievement. Apostle told the Committee of the Whole last year... more »

• MCPS studying 2011-12 funding formula Play Video

  December 10, 2010 12:38 AM

  MISSOULA - Finalizing the 2011-2012 school year budget is still months away, but the Missoula County School Board is already crunching numbers. While board members wait on the upcoming legislative session to find out exactly how much money it will get in next year's budget, the board already knows... more »

• Apostle explains Missoula school closure Play Video

  November 23, 2010 6:20 PM

  MISSOULA - Some Western Montana students had the chance to start their Thanksgiving holiday a bit early thanks to Tuesday morning's wicked weather. Missoula County Public Schools decided to cancel classes and Superintendent Alex Apostle told us that a number of factors went into making a decision in which... more »

• Missoula public schools dropout rates fall Play Video

  November 5, 2010 2:49 PM

  MISSOULA - The Missoula County Public Schools saw nearly a 47% decrease in dropout rates in six months, since it launched the "Graduation Matters Missoula" campaign. Missoula public schools launched the graduation campaign in January. Public schools have advisory committees monitoring the students who are struggling and helping those students... more »

• Big Sky High to celebrate Halloween with public activities

  October 26, 2010 10:53 AM

  MISSOULA- Big Sky High School is providing affordable Halloween fun for all ages starting Thursday, October 28th to Sunday, October 31st. Kicking off the festivities is "Halloween Half Moon," a production of the Big Sky High School Drama Department. The play takes place at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 28th... more »

• MCPS to sponsor free early childhood screening

  October 21, 2010 12:35 PM

  MISSOULA- Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) will sponsor a free early childhood screening for children up to age 5 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 3rd-5th, at Jefferson School, 1700 South Avenue West, in Missoula. The screening is available to children that live within the elementary and middle school... more »

• MCPS hosting forum on 21st Century learning

  October 18, 2010 12:49 PM

  MISSOULA - The future of our students will be the focus of a meeting being hosted by the Missoula County Public School system this evening. Students, educators, parents and local community members are all being invited to take part in a "21st Century Initiative Community" meeting which will take... more »

• Missoula workshop highlights peacemaking among kids Play Video

  October 1, 2010 2:12 PM

  MISSOULA - With the school year underway, parents and teachers are looking at ways to reduce conflicts and bullying among young kids. On Friday nonprofit Families First Montana sponsored the "Raising Peacemakers" conference, a day full of workshops to encourage good behavior among students in and outside of the... more »

• Missoula schools unveil 21st Century Initiative Play Video

  September 24, 2010 9:23 AM

  MISSOULA - Educators spent Thursday evening gathering together to talk about a project to improve the education that students receive in the Missoula County Public Schools system. The district launched the 21st Century Initiative, which they hope will transform the way teachers, students, parents and the community looks at... more »

• MCPS hires new principal for Big Sky High School

  June 4, 2010 6:45 PM

  Missoula County Public Schools has hired Trevor Laboski, current principal at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, Mont., to be the next principal at Big Sky High School in Missoula. Laboski will replace Paul Johnson, who has served as principal at Big Sky for 13 years and will become principal... more »

• MCPS survey on changes to 2010-2011 school calendar

  May 29, 2010 2:08 PM

  The Montana High School Association has asked the District to host the State A-C Track Meet at the Missoula County Public School Stadium at Big Sky High School on May 27, 2011. The meet will draw 4,000 attendees and 80 plus buses, and is anticipated to generate several million... more »

• MT Auto Technologies filling important role Play Video

  February 22, 2010 9:03 AM

  MISSOULA - A Missoula non-profit is breathing new life into the art of restoring and repairing vintage cars, while passing along lucrative skills and creating lasting relationships. From the outside Montana Auto Tech looks like a scrap yard, but for those who know it, it's what's going on inside... more »

• "Graduation Matters Missoula" campaign kicks off Play Video

  January 19, 2010 8:33 PM

  Missoula County educators have officially launched a effort to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Apostle says about 20% of Missoula students don't graduate from high school. But he says with all the talk this year about the "Graduation Matters... more »

• MCPS kicking off campaign to keep kids in school

  January 15, 2010 9:07 PM

  Several months of hard work will pay off next week when the Missoula County Public Schools launch a new campaign to keep kids in school. "Graduation Matters Missoula" is a community-wide effort to improve the high-school graduation rate. The program is being developed by volunteer teams which include everyone... more »