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Billings Families Voice Concerns Over School Enrollment Shifts, New Programs
Local families respond to shifts in Billings Public Schools enrollment, new programs and funding support.
How we reported this
Billings Public Schools reported a student population of 16,418 in FY24 and an estimated 16,307 in FY25 even after opening four new charter schools along with Jumpstart and KinderREADY programs.
Charter Academy for English-Learning Students
The district opened a new charter academy in fall 2024 for English-learning students. Enrollment in related programs grew from 25 students in 2015 to 348 by fall 2023. Community members note the academy addresses barriers for families whose children need language support while the overall district enrollment shows a modest decline.
Teacher Pay and After-School Funding
Teachers in Billings are securing starting wages of $50,000 for those with a bachelor's degree and up to $58,000 for those with a master's degree for the new school year. Montana received $6M in federal after-school funds in 2026 after a pause, supporting programs that serve thousands of students facing food insecurity in Billings Public Schools. Affected families describe these pay levels and restored funds as factors that influence staffing stability and access to extended-day services.
Literacy Donations and Backpack Distributions
The Big J Show radio program donated $135,574 to schools in Yellowstone and Stillwater counties for its Books for Kids literacy program. Backpack pick-ups are available in Billings from Aug. 19-21. Residents point to the donation as direct community support that supplements classroom resources amid enrollment and program changes.
These updates arrive as the district maintains Jumpstart and KinderREADY initiatives alongside the four new charter schools. Families affected by the student population estimate and the new academy emphasize the need for continued attention to language learners and food-insecure students. The $6M in restored federal funds provides after-school programming that addresses immediate needs for thousands of local children. Teacher compensation adjustments at the stated levels are viewed by community members as steps toward retention in a system serving roughly 16,300 students. The literacy donation and scheduled backpack distributions offer concrete assistance that residents connect to broader efforts to support reading access across Yellowstone and Stillwater counties. Practical next steps for families include checking eligibility for the August backpack pick-ups and reviewing program options within Billings Public Schools for the current year.