About Us
KIDS’ EDUCATION YES (KEY)
Strengthening public schools through clear, fact-based community engagement.
30+ years serving Great Falls
School Bond Passed (2016)
School Levy Passed (2020)
Who We Are
Strong schools don’t happen by accident.
Schools prosper when communities are informed, engaged, and willing to invest wisely in their future.
Founded in the 1990s by parents and community members, Kids’ Education Yes exists to support strong public schools. We bring people together around clear, fact-based information, so Great Falls can make thoughtful decisions about education funding.
KEY is independent from Great Falls Public Schools, grounded in data, and committed to the long-term strength of our community.
Built on Trust. Proven Over Time.
Great Falls values its schools, yet nearly 70% of local voters no longer have a direct connection to them. That distance can make school funding decisions harder to understand and easier to disconnect from classroom realities.
KEY bridges that gap.
We listen first, then share clear, locally grounded, fact-based information that reflects both school needs and the realities of a tax-conscious community. Through research and local polling, we identify where understanding breaks down and communicate with clarity and respect.
That approach has built broad community trust and delivered results, including:
- Passage of a school bond (2016)
- Passage of a school levy (2020)
- Coalitions united around shared community values, not politics
KEY also brings educators, business leaders, legislators, and community members together for practical, solutions-focused conversations about the future of public education. In the past year alone, more than 100 participants took part in these discussions.
This trusted, balanced approach now extends beyond Great Falls. KEY was selected as one of just 11 parent-led organizations statewide to participate in Montana’s education funding interim committee, ensuring local perspectives help inform statewide decisions.
What We Do
Kids’ Education Yes provides clear, accessible information year-round to help Great Falls understand and support strong public schools.
We do this by:
- Presenting to civic groups, businesses, and community organizations
- Sharing local data and polling that explain school funding and identify gaps
- Keeping the community informed about school board elections and key education issues
- Convening educators, business leaders, legislators, and community members for constructive dialogue
- KEY is data-driven, community-accountable, and focused on long-term stability. Strong public schools strengthen Great Falls—economically, socially, and for future generations.