[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 4, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H2608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ``WE, THE PEOPLE, CITIZEN AND CONSTITUTION PROGRAM''

  (Mr. HILL of Montana asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HILL of Montana. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week more than 1,200 
students from across the United States were here in Washington to 
compete in the national finals of the ``We, the People, Citizen and 
Constitution Program.''
  I am proud to announce that a high school class from Polson High 
School in Polson, Montana, represented the State of Montana in this 
national event. These young scholars have worked diligently to reach 
the national finals and, through this experience, have gained a deep 
respect and a greater knowledge and a greater understanding of the 
fundamental principles and the values of our constitutional Republic.
  ``We, the People'' is the most extensive education program in the 
country that was developed to educate young people about the 
Constitution and the Bill of Rights. This program has provided 
classroom materials at elementary and middle and high school levels for 
more than 26\1/2\ million students across the country.
  I am proud of the students from Polson, Montana, and I commend them 
for their dedication to a better understanding of their Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I include the following newspaper article for the 
Record:

Nontenured Teachers Cut: Board Votes To Slice 60 Positions to Help Save 
                                  $1M

                         (By Leslie McCartney)

       The teaching contracts of more than 60 nontenured teachers 
     will not be renewed, Helena School District trustees 
     reluctantly voted Tuesday night.
       The district is facing serious financial problems. The 
     district is seeking ways to slice $1 million expenses from 
     its 1999-2000 school year budget.
       ``This is an unpleasant task,'' said Bill Rasor, personnel 
     program manager for the district.
       Many of the trustees lamented the necessary move--by 
     contract the district must give teachers notice--but it was 
     not unexpected.
       Tuesday's meeting included more proposed considerations for 
     reductions as part of the ongoing budgeting process that has 
     been consuming the district and the trustees for at least a 
     month.
       A new consideration presented to the board Tuesday included 
     eliminating a $15,000 contract for high school students with 
     the Montana Science Institute, based at Canyon Ferry Lake.
       Also discussed were a few revised proposals, including that 
     of the gifted and talented program. The program would not be 
     completely eliminated as was suggested earlier this month.
       Under a new model, the district would retain two gifted and 
     talented staff members to coordinate services and consult 
     with classroom teachers.
       ``We're regrouping . . . maybe we're not quite ready to 
     hand it off entirely.'' Superintendent Bruce Messinger noted.
       Also revised was the issue of increasing class size, which 
     of district hoped to boost to save money. Under a new 
     proposal, class sizes in the early primary grades 
     (kindergarten through second grade) (kindergarten through 
     second grade) would stay small.
       However, class sizes would be raised to 26 students in 
     third grade, 28 in fourth grade and 30 in fifth grade. The 
     changes in staffing, coupled with savings in physical 
     education and the music program, could save $116,000, 
     according to district projections.
       Trustees also mulled a revision in the ``significant 
     writing'' program to cut four full-time positions at a 
     savings of $116,000.
       This year's budget crunch is not an anomaly. Messinger 
     presented a glimpse of a budget picture for the next four 
     years that points to a further decline in enrollment. 
     Enrollment in Montana is directly linked to the amount of 
     funding a district receives.
       ``It's not going to get any prettier,'' said trustee Brenda 
     Nordlund.
       Many trustees also had strong words for the Legislature, 
     which they accused of not paying attention to the plight of 
     many of the state's larger districts that are unable to 
     legally raise additional funds.
       ``We're pushing hard against the ceiling and it's coming 
     down on us,'' Messinger noted.
       The district's difficulties--along with the hours spent 
     poring over numbers and finances--brought at least one 
     trustee to near tears at the board meeting.
       ``I find this a tremendously humbling experience,'' said 
     trustee Julie Mitchell.
       She added that she realizes the district must pare its 
     expenses, but the task is unpleasant and unavoidable.
       ``In the end we have to decide and someone's going to be 
     mad,'' she said.
       But she admonished both the public and trustees to remember 
     that the district delivers a quality education and will 
     continue to do so, in spite of the financial crunch.
       ``There are some incredibly cool things going on . . . we 
     give our kids a fantastic education.''
       Trustees also reminded the public that none of the proposed 
     reductions have been decided and urged continued public 
     input.
       ``This is not set in concrete,'' Trustee Rich Moy said.
       A public hearing on the budget is set for March 16.

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