Why School Board Elections Matter

Public education in Great Falls reflects something simple and enduring: a community choosing to invest in its children and its future.

The locally elected board for Great Falls Public Schools governs a district that serves about 10,000 students, operates nearly 30 schools, and employs more than 1,300 teachers and staff. Each year, trustees help oversee an annual budget of more than $160 million dedicated to educating students and maintaining schools.

School board elections matter because they determine who carries this responsibility forward. Trustees focus on long-term stewardship. They set policy, approve budgets, and establish priorities that keep schools stable, responsive, and aligned with community values.

GFPS has outlined three guiding priorities that reflect this work.

Local control.
Great Falls supports community-led decision-making so local educators and families can shape solutions that fit local needs. This approach has helped create programs such as Build Montana, MedAchieve, High School House, and industry-aligned welding cohorts which connect students to career and college opportunities.

Public schools for Montana’s public.
The district affirms that public education works best when public dollars remain in public schools that welcome and serve all students. This commitment supports transparency, access, and accountability.

Stable, realistic funding.
Trustees advocate for funding that reflects real operating costs, supports quality staff, and maintains facilities, so schools can continue meeting student needs today and into the future. Our Commitment to Students.

Trustees also hire and evaluate the superintendent, helping ensure consistent leadership and clear direction. School board elections are one of the ways the community participates in caring for its schools.