HELENA — Montana lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow elementary school districts with at least 1,000 students the option of voting to create a high school district.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports the House passed the bill 97-3 on Wednesday, sending it to Gov. Steve Bullock for his signature. The bill would affect East Helena, the Missoula Hellgate district and the Lockwood district in Billings.
The bill would require the elementary districts interested in adding high schools to hold an election to approve an expansion then two years later a vote on a bond to build a high school. If either vote fails, the districts would have to wait five years to put the issue before voters again.