Thursday was an atypical first day of class for Columbia Falls High School when Gov. Steve Bullock stopped by on his Back to School Tour.

The purpose of the governor’s tour is to highlight the efforts of Montana schools to bolster college and career readiness at a time when a worker shortage is on the horizon.

“This sort of college and career readiness tour is twofold: One of which for the students to make sure that education stays relevant and engaging to them, but from the greater perspective to ensure that we have — as we look forward in the state of Montana — we have talented and trained workers,” Bullock said.

Student body president Sadie Panasuk and student body vice president Haley Greene greeted Bullock beneath a hand-painted “welcome” banner. Both students are enrolled in Running Start, a program for high school juniors and seniors to take six credits of college courses at Flathead Valley Community College at no cost.  

Panasuk and Greene will graduate with eight college credits, about half the credits a college freshman completes.

“You will graduate high school so much further than I certainly graduated from high school,” Bullock said. “You already have a good chunk of college credits.”

Running Start was just one of many programs highlighted by students and staff.

High school counselor Linda Kaps said the number of students taking college-level courses has increased over the last three years.

“I’m really proud of what our school is offering our students,” Kaps said.

The school currently has a roster of 12 concurrent enrollment courses that allow students to earn both college and high school credits. Those courses include accounting, business, math, metals, building trades and health professions.

“Students can almost finish their first year of college by high school graduation,” Kaps said.

The successful partnership between the community college and area high schools is evident.

“Research shows that high school students that start college having at least six college credits are more successful, have a higher grade point average and graduate in four years the old way,” Flathead Valley Community College President Jane Karas said.

Offering dual credits is a trend that needs to continue, according to Bullock, noting that students end up more likely to attend college and graduate on time with high grade-point averages.

“For so many students a high school degree won’t be enough,” Bullock said later, adding, “We know in the last two and a half years high school students getting college credits has doubled in the state of Montana and we need to continue that.”

Certifications are also a big draw for students who are interested in welding, building trades and nursing.

“They’re getting jobs in high school,” Kaps said.

Senior Hayden Pierce is certified in several welding positions and looking to become certified in metal thickness before she graduates from high school.

“So then what do you want to do?” Bullock asked.

“This,” Pierce said, referring to a career in welding.

“As we saw here today, students are getting certificates — that isn’t something abstract,” Bullock said. “I mean, this is something you can present to an employer and get a much, much better job.”

Industrial arts teacher Ken Stone was excited to show Bullock around a combination of traditional and high-tech equipment. Stone fired up a wood laser engraving machine to make a wooden plaque in the shape of the state to commemorate Bullock’s visit.

“We cannot get rid of the craftsmanship, the quality of work. We need home builders; we need roofers; we need concrete people, and that’s a craft,” Stone said. “But they also need to know new technology.”

Stone also talked about the school’s triad building trades program that blends English, math and building.

“They get to see the big picture of how things work together,” Stone said.

Online courses through the Montana Digital Academy are another avenue students can take on their paths to college and career readiness at Columbia Falls. Senior Emily Getts is taking that route.

“It’s very helpful. I’ve taken lots of digital academy classes. I took Latin 1 and 2. It’s really good to take classes that we don’t even offer here because it broadens your opportunities,” Getts said, noting that the digital courses offer flexibility to fit courses into her schedule that she wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

Columbia Falls High School Principal Scott Gaiser said these programs are all about rigor and relevance.

“You see the benefit of these classes to our students,” Gaiser said. “Any area that we can provide opportunities, we want to do it.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.