Article Summary –
The article highlights the rising trend of student homelessness in Kalispell and other Montana school districts due to the increasing cost of living post-COVID-19. It discusses the allocation of $425,000 in federal funding to various districts, including Kalispell, from the American Rescue Plan-Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) program to support homeless students through material assistance, transportation, and additional support staff.
From the start of the 2023-24 school year to its conclusion, the number of students experiencing homelessness in Kalispell’s public school system rose from 293 to 365. Assistant Superintendent Sara Cole attributed the increase to the soaring cost of living post-COVID-19 pandemic.
“The valley during COVID and post-COVID became unaffordable,” Cole said. “Homes that were $200,000 are now $500,000, $600,000. Families who could afford it pre-COVID are now priced out.”
The issue isn’t limited to the Flathead Valley. Montana’s Office of Public Instruction data shows that the number of homeless students statewide has skyrocketed, increasing from 1,200 in 2010-11 to over 4,700 a year ago. In Ronan Public Schools, homeless students grew from 21 to 184 within 15 years.
Last month, OPI announced new federal funding aimed at supporting this growing student population. A total of $425,000 was allocated to 12 districts, including Kalispell and Ronan, to spend remaining pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act funds earmarked for homeless children ahead of a September deadline.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, homelessness includes lacking a “fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence” or living in temporary housing or spaces like cars or campgrounds.
OPI had already distributed over $1.8 million to 42 districts statewide through ARP-HCY grants. OPI spokesperson Brian O’Leary mentioned another potential round of funds this summer and plans to request a waiver to extend the fund’s availability through March 2026.
In Ronan, $79,000 in funding went towards direct financial support for homeless families, including gas cards. Glendive Public Schools, with $98,800 in recent grants, used the funds for staff liaison salaries, hotel vouchers, and school lunch debts. Glendive plans to support an additional 50 children and has also increased staff training.
O’Leary noted that OPI gave districts flexibility to self-budget funds based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education.
Kalispell received an additional $98,000 in ARP-HCY funding last month. Cole said these grants supported material needs like food, gas cards, and transportation, and also funded extra pay for staff liaisons. The district also proposed a part-time position for English language learners.
Before ARP-HCY, funding from McKinney-Vento supported only half the salary of Kalispell’s homeless-student liaison. With the ARP-HCY funds expiring soon, both Kalispell and Glendive expect challenges in maintaining the same level of student support. Cole emphasized the need for sustainable funding mechanisms and legislative support in the 2025 session.
“Grants are time-bound and not sustainable,” Cole said. “I hope future legislative sessions will address the actual needs in schools.”
—
Read More Montana News
