Gov. Gianforte Welcomes Evergreen Students on First Day of School

Highlights role of community support council to meet student needs

Governor's Office

EVERGREEN, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today greeted Evergreen Elementary School students on their first day of school before joining Evergreen School District Superintendent Laurie Barron, community leaders, and faith-based organizations to recognize the school district for its commitment to utilizing community partnerships to support and meet the needs of students and families.

"There is no investment more important than an investment in our kids and when we give young Montanans the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed, we invest in the future of our communities and our state," Gov. Gianforte said. "Evergreen is leading by example in how to make that investment. This district has brought critical community partners together around a shared commitment to students and families,

and is showing what can happen when an entire community takes ownership in helping its kids succeed."

Gov. Gianforte greeting Evergreen Elementary School students on the first day of school

During a meeting at the Evergreen School District office, the governor brought together representatives from the school district, local churches, community members, and foster families to discuss the importance of community involvement in supporting students.

In 2014, Evergreen School District started the community council which consists of school officials, higher education representatives, civic organizations, law enforcement, elected officials, parents of students from every grade level, and churches. Together, the representatives meet quarterly to discuss the current needs of students and families in the district and ways the community can step up to meet them.

"Our Community Council has evolved over time. It represents many organizations, but the majority membership are our parents. We have more parents and guardians than any other member because we want them at the table, We meet as a council four times a year, but the results are in the day-to-day work when our evergreen community partners show up," Evergreen Superintendent Laurie Barron added.

Gov. Gianforte holding a roundtable discussion with Superintend ent Laurie Barron in Evergreen

In the past the council has worked collectively to provide food, clothing, furniture, appliances, and rent payments, to name a few. In particular, Evergreen Schools has engaged in a partnership with Hope Church of Kalispell to actively serve and support the school from campus cleanup projects to monthly meals for teachers and staff to Christmas gifts for families to band instruments to letters of encouragement to students and teachers.

"What we wanted to leave behind was that we believe in our community and we just don't want to be set and segregated in a church. We wanted to be out in our community and be an example," Hope Church Community Life Pastor David Halliburton said. "We have no agenda, other than we're here to serve. We wanted to get outside of the four walls of Hope Church and demonstrate the love of Jesus by meeting practical needs in our community. Over the last 12 years, we wanted to become a difference maker in our valley and that's taken on many, many different points throughout our community."

Superintendent Barron indicated that another major component of their success was a grant-funded position within the school district for a Family and Community Engagement Liaison.

"Working alongside many of the partners on this council and those who are here today, our liaison connects students and families with resources and services they need to overcome barriers to learning. Whether those needs involve housing, clothing, food security, health care, counseling, transportation, or other essential services, these partnerships help ensure families are connected to the right resources at the right time and the impact is clearly measurable," Superintendent Barron added.

Over the last three years, the Evergreen Community Council have connected 870 families to nearly 2,300 individual services. Among students whose families have received support, the school district noted attendance has improved by 56 percent and behavior and academic performance has improved by 68 percent.

At the conclusion of the roundtable, the governor joined Superintendent Barron and Hope Church Pastor David Halliburton to speak to the impact of the council in the community and the ways other school districts across Montana could implement this model.

"Evergreen is setting a strong example for other schools and communities looking for ways to better support students, strengthen families, and build stronger partnerships outside the classroom. My hope and prayer are that other Montana schools and churches will follow Evergreen's excellent example," Gov. Gianforte concluded.

Prior to the roundtable, Governor Gianforte greeted students at Evergreen Elementary School on their first day of school. The school serves approximately 340 students in grades preschool through fourth grade.

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