GFPS launching summer experiential learning program with state education tax credit funds
Summer experiential learning is coming to Great Falls Public Schools students in 2026 through the state’s innovative tax credit program.
“I’m really excited about the possibility of this program,” GFPS Superintendent Heather Hoyer told the school board during their Oct. 13 meeting.
The state created a tax credit program for education during the 2021 Legislature and the window to claim those dollar-for-dollar tax credits was Jan. 15.
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The program allows residents to make a cash donation to their local public schools and individuals or companies can contribute up to $200,000 per year for educational programs. Married taxpayers filing jointly may take a tax credit of up to $400,000 for each tax credit, according to the Montana Department of Revenue.
Over the history of the tax credit program, GFPS raised a total of $2,103,288, ranking first among Montana AA districts for three consecutive years, and has grown from one contributor the first year, to four the second year, 35 last year and 46 this year.
The district is planning to use some of that funding to create an innovative summer learning program grant open for teachers to submit their proposals through Dec. 2 in teams of one elementary and one middle or high school teacher to create a two-day summer learning program.
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The program will include a day in the classroom, followed by a second day in the field open to students in rising grades 1-8 with assistant opportunities for students in grades 9-12. The older students may earn a quarter credit for their participation.
Hoyer told the board that the district had created an internal committee, plus one of the citizen tax credit contributors, that created this summer learning program that they’re planning to start small this summer with a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 30 students.
She said that field trips and experiential learning programs are important and often the first to go when there are funding cuts.
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Hoyer said that the first day classroom experiences would be held in the innovative/STEM learning centers at either Great Falls or C.M. Russell high schools.
The former shop space at GFH is being renovated into an innovative learning center in a project scheduled to begin in November and be completed by summer.
Hoyer said that the idea was to break down silos that sometimes exist between elementary teachers and the middle and high school teachers to provide “free, high quality standards based experiences.”
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Hoyer said GFPS is looking to fund a minimum of six experiences across the district with three based at GFH’s learning center and three based at CMR’s learning center.
The programs will run throughout the summer, with those designed for rising 1st through 3rd grades scheduled after Jumpstart ends July 6.
Hoyer said that she emailed teachers on Oct. 13 to introduce the program and will hold two Zoom meetings on Nov. 3 to further discuss the program. Teacher applications are due by Dec. 2 and the committee will review and select the inaugural programs, which will be announced Dec. 19.
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Student registration for the summer programs opens Jan. 5 and student rosters will be sent to teachers for parent/student contact by March 31.
Hoyer said the goal is to start a bit small and “hopefully grow this to some fantastic experiences throughout the summer.”
For the selected educators, they’ll receive a $1,000 stipend and a $3,000 budget for transportation, materials and experiences.
Hoyer said they’ll likely have to make adjustments after the first year, but they’re hoping it will become a sustainable program through the state’s innovative tax credit program.
Gerry Jennings, the citizen member of the planning committee, said during the Oct. 13 school board meeting that she’s “very excited about the fact that this is going to happen.”
Hoyer said that teachers will have the opportunity to “explore a topic that they just love” and exposing students to that over the summer is where “magic happens.”
Gordon Johnson, school board chair, said that “this is absolutely brilliant. Gotta love it.”
Bill Bronson, school board member, said that in his experience “field trips were very important” to learn more, or improve upon classroom learning.
He said he was glad to see the district taking advantage of the innovative tax credit program and hoped there would be student interest and the program would grow.
