Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News on 10/14/16 – by Evelyn Pyburn
LOCKWOOD — The trustees from Lockwood School Billings School District 2 held a joint meeting Monday evening at Lockwood Middle School, to determine whether the two districts can iron out their differences in regard to passing legislation that will lift the moratorium on new high school districts in Montana.
During the last state legislative session, a bill (SB 107) that would have done that, went down to a narrow defeat. Lockwood and East Helena are collaborating on re-introducing the legislation. Hellgate in Missoula was part of the effort two years ago, but will not be this time.
Montana has had a law against the creation of new school districts for decades. In recent years, burgeoning communities like Lockwood have come to the point of believing their children would be better served in schools closer to their own communities. During the legislative debate on the issue, the larger school districts – such as School District 2 – who serve the students of the satellite communities, came out strongly in opposition to the legislation.
The point of the meeting on Monday was to determine what would need to change in the legislation to eliminate SD2’s opposition to the bill, explained Lockwood Board Chairman Tim Sather.
SD2 Superintendent said that even if the legislation were more acceptable to the Billings board, it would probably just not oppose it and take a neutral stance, rather than actually support it.
“We don’t necessarily need your support,” said Lockwood Superintendent Tobin Novasio; eliminating the opposition would be enough. A suggestion was made that SD2 representatives be invited to help write the legislation. Novasio explained that Lockwood currently is partnering with East Helena representatives in drafting a bill, but they would very much like input from SD2. read more
