Updated at 4:50 p.m. Aug. 24 with a response from Bishop Jeffrey Fleming about the Catholic high school closure
Catholic high school closing
St. Patrick’s Academy High School, also known as Central Catholic High School, is not opening for this school year, which was scheduled to begin Aug. 26.
In a letter to students and families, Bishop Jeffrey Fleming of the Catholic Church Diocese of Great Falls-Billings wrote on Aug. 21 that the decision was made after “extensive efforts throughout the past several months to secure the necessary administrative leadership, including finding a full-time principal, and qualified faculty to operate our high school effectively, and after consultation with my advisory boards and our meeting last night, I have made the difficult decision that St. Patrick’s Academy High School will not open for the 2026-2027 school year.”
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“I recognize the disappointment and hardship this announcement brings to our students, parents, alumni, and the entire school community. Please know that this decision was reached only after careful discernment, consultation, and prayer. Like many of you, I had believed that the school would open this year; but the realities that we are facing in the final stages of preparation left us with no workable path forward for the start of the school year,” Fleming wrote. “In the coming days, we will work closely with families to assist in identifying educational options for the upcoming school year. We will also work with our faculty and staff to make sure they are cared for.”
In an Aug. 24 email to The Electric, Fleming wrote that as of June 1, the diocese intended to open the high school, but between then and June 30, the high school “unexpectedly lost its administrative staff and two-thirds of its teaching staff.”
Between July 1 and Aug. 20, Fleming wrote that staff “worked around the clock” to fill the empty positions.
Fleming wrote that as of Aug. 21 there were 19 students enrolled, seven teachers and four staff at the high school.
A challenge in filling the open postions, Fleming wrote that that the high school has to follow requirements of the Montana High School Association and the Montana Office of Public Instruction, which require state-certified teachers, administrators and set hours.
On July 29, Fleming and other diocese and school staff met with parents and teachers about the staffing issues.
He wrote that they presented two options to parents:
- retain the school’s accreditation with MHSA and OPI, which would allow students to co-op sporting activities with Highwood Public Schools; or
- forgo MHSA and OPI accreditation, allowing more flexibility to hire professionals to teach courses who may not have state teaching certifications and create a more flexible learning schedule
Fleming wrote that “the overwhelming response” was that parents wanted to maintain MHSA and OPI accreditation in part so that students could co-op for sports.
Fleming wrote that he appointed an interim principal, but needed to find a qualified academic site administrator to handle daily operations and fill empty faculty positions wiht online courses through the Montana Online Digital Academy.
The high school did not have a qualified site administrator on Aug. 20, Fleming wrote, and held a meeting that night to discuss the “insurmountable hurdles” in opening the school on Aug. 26.
Fleming wrote that he considered feedback from the parents and decided the high school couldn’t open without a qualified administrator to ensure the school would meet academic and accreditation requirements.
Fleming wrote that families will be refunded any tuition that was paid for the upcoming school year and is honoring contract with high school teachers in full.
Students and families have access to the school to get their things from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.
Fleming wrote that their current focus is on supporting students, families, teachers and staff through the transition and no decisions have been made regarding future operations have been made.
The high school property, which is directly south of the Touro University medical campus, is not for sale “and there have been no discussions about selling,” Fleming told The Electric.
St. Patrick’s high school teachers and diocese staff are working with OPI to help students transition to other schools, sports and scholarships, Fleming wrote.
Heather Hoyer, Great Falls Public Schools superintendent, told The Electric on Aug. 23 that the district will work with any students and families that want to transition to GFPS and several families had already been in touch.
She said that Lance Boyd and Jackie Mainwaring, assistant superintendents, had already been helping families transfer to GFPS over the weekend.
Boyd and Mainwaring had already worked with families transferring into GFPS from the Catholic elementary schools when St. Patrick’s consolidated and moved to a shortened week in 2025, and closed the former Holy Spirit Elementary at the end of the school year a few months ago.
“We know that it is much more than getting a schedule; it is learning new traditions, scales of buildings, and friend groups. Our teachers, leaders, and student leaders understand this and are ready to help,” Hoyer said.
Counselors and administrators are ready to evaluate transcripts and move classes from the Catholic school into GFPS and St. Patrick’s was an accredited high school in Montana, so it’s an easier transfer process, she said.
Hoyer told The Electric that the Montana High School Association was putting together a support process to help students transition and any St. Patrick’s students who enroll at GFPS will have the same opportunities to try out for teams as established students. GFPS will have to be mindful of rules regulating the minimum number of practices that student-athletes must have to participate, she said.
The district has space to accommodate the St. Patrick’s high school students and “they’re important to us-they are Great Falls. We are here to help when they need and want us to,” Hoyer said.
Great Falls Clinic and Hospital announces new CEO
The Great Falls Clinic and Hospital has appointed Ned Hill as its new market chief executive officer, effective Aug. 24.
Hill has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience and most recently served as CEO for HCA Healthcare’s South Tampa market, overseeing a multi-campus healthcare system that included more than 1,200 employees and 400 physicians, according to a release.
Great Falls Clinic property ownership changes; Clinic operations remain unchanged
His experience spans hospital operations, physician recruitment, strategic planning, service line development, and quality improvement.
Hill holds a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in health service administration from the University of Utah and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
The leadership transition follows a national search.
Arts on Fire
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is accepting applications through Aug. 28 for the Artist Alley vendor market at the 15th annual Arts on Fire Festival.
The festival is Sept. 19 at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.
Spaces are limited so interested artists should submit their information soon.
To apply, send your name, business name if applicable, phone number, mailing address, email and brief description of your artwork and four to five high-quality images to Brent Viste at brent@the-square.org for consideration.
Accepted vendors will be notified on a rolling basis until spaces are full or until Aug. 28, whichever is sooner.
The museum is looking for the following vendors: artists and artisans creating handmade, originally designed items such as, but not limited to: painting, drawing, pottery, illustration, printmaking, fiber arts, sculptures, woodworking, jewelry, accessories, home goods, leather goods, and more.
The museum will not accept vendors using AI-generated images in their work.
If approved, the vendor fee is $60 and must be paid in full to the museum at least two weeks before the festival on Sept. 19.
Vendors retain 100 percent of their sales and are responsible for taking payments.
Great Falls Greats 2026 winners
Alliance for Youth
Alliance for Youth is accepting vendor applications for the youth craft fair on Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Registration is free for youth up to 24 years old.
The registration deadline is Oct. 14 or when all 23 vendor spaces are filled.
The deadline to cancel registration is also Oct. 14.
A waiting list will be maintained once vendor spaces are full and any openings created before the cancellation deadline will be offered to vendors on the waiting list.
Because space is limited, vendors who do not attend or who cancel after Oct. 14 will not be eligible to participate in the future.
GFPS faculty art show
Great Falls Public Schools are celebrating the new school year with new art in the Dahl Gallery at Great Falls High School on Sept. 2 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served and attendees can meet the teacher/artists, including some new teachers to GFPS this year.
Slippy’s Car Wash
Slippy’s Car Wash, which has been under construction for awhile at the former Ryan’s Cash and Carry site, is preparing to open.
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Fall hours starting at Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Starting Sept. 7, the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center will adjust its seasonal operating hours to Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The MBIC will be closed on weekends and all federal holidays throughout fall and winter seasons.
On Sept. 16, seasonal motorized boating restrictions on the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River will no longer be in effect. Motorized boats may travel both upstream and downstream on all 149 miles of river in the monument until June 14.
Judith Landing Campground closes on Oct. 15.
The BLM’s Left Coulee access gate leading to the Bullwhacker area closes Nov. 30.
Coal Banks Landing and James Kipp campgrounds will remain open until Dec. 1.
Roads within the monument are subject to seasonal closures.
Ensure you know these closures while hunting. Visitors may purchase a printed UMRBNM transportation map at the Lewistown, Havre, and Fort Benton BLM offices or use the interactive online map or download the transportation map under the Boater Guides and Maps tab.
Fall and winter activities range from dispersed camping, hunting, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
For advice on how to visit UMRBNM in fall and winter, call the Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center at 406-622-4000 or review the online trip planning information.
Dahl House Health and Wellness
Dahl House Health and Wellness has reopened at their old location, 500 Country Club Blvd.
They offer women’s healthcare, including annual exams, preventative care, cycle optimization for anyone navigating fertility, HTMA testing for mineral-based health support and more.
A nurse practitioner is running the facility.
Nest
The owners of Feather Your Nest are reopening a shop as Nest on the lower level of Holiday Village Mall on Sept. 3.
They closed their downtown location in December 2024 and have decided that retirement doesn’t suit them.
Metal on the Missouri
The Lewis and Clark Foundation is hosting Metal on the Missouri at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public to view a collection of classic, vintage, custom, and specialty vehicles while enjoying plenty of automotive nostalgia with food vendors on site.
Visitors may cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced around 1:45 p.m. and proceeds from a 50/50 raffle will support the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.
This year’s Metal on the Missouri will be the last for Duane Buchi as he retires after 12 years with the U.S. Forest Service.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to be part of the show.
Registration is $10 per vehicle and all makes and models of special-interest vehicles are welcome. To register, call 406-899-7993.
Drool in the Pool
The Great Falls Park and Recreation Department and City of Great Falls Animal Shelter are hosting Drool in the Pool from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 29 at Electric City Waterpark – 100 River Drive S.
Admission is $6 per dog and $3 per person.
All participating dogs must have current vaccinations for rabies, parvo and distemper, and owners must provide proof of those vaccinations at the event.
Youth Chorus
The Electric City Youth Chorus is a community choir composed for students in fourth through seventh grade who are still unchanged in voice.
They’re starting their second year and have two open audition sessions on Aug. 30 and Sept. 3.
Students don’t need to sign up in advance and can show up at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2900 9th Ave. S., which is also where the choir rehearses every Tuesday from 6:30-8 p.m.
Jenn Cantley, artistic director for the youth chorus with the Electric City Choral Union, said that they’re growing the choir to 30 students this year and collaborating with other community groups.
They’re working with the Great Falls Symphony to perform during the Nutcracker in November and will be singing with the Electric City Union in December, Cantley said.
Wheat and Barley
The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee has opened its annual grant window for research, market development and education.
Applications are due by Sept. 30.
The committee will award from two categories:
- research
- market development/education
Research applicants must complete the MWBC application, submit a video presentation and a project budget.
Market development/education applicants must submit the MWBC application and include a formal written proposal.
For more information, email lori.wickett@mt.gov or call 406-761-7732.
Malmstrom contract
The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded a $31,100 contract to James Talcott Construction for the 341st Maintenance Group suite refresh project. The period of performance for this award is 30 days from the notice to proceed.
GFDA award
The Great Falls Development Alliance received the Bronze Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year in the 25,000–200,000 population category from the International Economic Development Council.
It’s the only Montana organization to receive an IEDC excellence in economic development award this year, which celebrates outstanding contributions and expertise in the field of economic development, according to GFDA.
Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@theelectricgf.com with ‘business bite’ in the subject line and the details in text form in the body of the email.
