Superintendent Hedalen Shares Vital Updates For Montana Schools

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Susie Hedalen, was in the KGVO Studio on Monday as she prepared to visit an elementary school to visit with young students during breakfast.

She said she is working with Missoula and schools statewide about what are called ‘E grants’.

OPI Superintendent Hedalen was in the KGVO Studio on Monday

“Our team has been deployed around the state helping put on the ‘E-grants Tour’, which supports school administrators in getting their budgets entered and doing their school funding workshops,” began Hedalen. “We've been doing those as well as implementing legislation and meeting with different businesses around the state to see how we can partner and get opportunities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and other programs into our schools so students can get that science and engineering experience while they're in school.”

Hedalen said There Are Grants to Help Local Schools Obtain AEDs

Hedalen said there are specific grants to help Missoula and other public schools obtain AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) in case of an emergency at school or on the athletic field.

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“We have the AED grant currently open,” she said. “The AED is the device that's used to help if there's a heart incident, so we know that they save the lives of young children and adults, especially during athletic programs. Through the legislation this session, there was a bill passed that allows us to distribute funds to all schools in Montana, and every school can apply for a grant to purchase or maintain their AEDs right now.”

Hedalen said She Will Follow Montana Law on Boys in Girls Sports Programs

One caller asked about her stance on allowing boys to participate in girls’ sports, to which she said the Montana legislature has addressed that issue.

“Each case is unique, and we'll have to take it on a case-by-case basis, but we do have attorneys that will help assist in those concerns,” she said. “We do field those calls and complaints from parents on a regular basis, so we will do what we can to support and make sure that the legislation is implemented by every school in Montana.”

Hedalen said overall safety in Montana’s schools is vital, and a new position has been created just for ensuring safe schools.

Hedalen Emphasized the Importance of Safety in Montana's Public Schools

“Safety is a top priority of mine, as you know, and this does fall under school safety,” she said. “We work closely with the U of M Safe School Center, and we are just opening a position for head management of school safety and wellness. So we're excited to bring someone on with that explicit focus.”