In the small school of Dayton Elementary, there is no lunch program or gym but the community has rallied together to provide hot and cold lunches for the upcoming school year.  

In the small community of Dayton the closest grocery store is 15 miles away, making it challenging for the community, families and the school to access food. While Brycen Ek, the principal of Dayton, said it’s a challenge, the community has a robust food bank supporting it.  

“We're in a food desert,” Ek said. “Where do you go if you need something tomorrow?” 

Last school year Dayton School piloted a cold lunch program, which was offered two days a week by West Shore Food Bank, located in Lakeside. Ek explained that this year they are improving the free program with help from partners.

“West Shore Food Bank has just opened up food security, predictability like I've never seen before,” Ek said. “Really, the most amazing thing is there's no financial checks on this.”  

Along with cold lunches, Dayton will be partnering with Lakeside Elementary School to create a hot lunch program two days a week which they are calling West Shore Lunch.  

Dayton School will kick off the year fully staffed and with about 60 kids which is a 20% increase in enrollment. Ek said they are seeing more houses being built around Dayton and with that growth, the school’s younger grades have increased in class size.  

This year Dayton will be implementing a supplemental writing curriculum to enhance kindergarten through sixth grade writing practice. Ek also notes that the STARS Act, which was passed in May by the Legislature, has helped increase teachers’ starting salaries in Montana K-12 schools. 

Other rural schools see higher enrollment 

At Valley View Elementary, west of Polson, enrollment increased to 40 students which is more than an 11% increase from the year prior.  

Carolyn Hall, the Lake County Superintendent of Schools, explained that Valley View has a multi-purpose building under construction. She said currently they have a shell of the 60-by-40 foot structure up but are currently fundraising for the next phase of the project.  

Hall said they hope to use the building for indoor and outdoor sports, after-school programs and as an open space for the community. Due to the small space Valley View has, Hall said they need all the room they can get.  

Hall said Valley View will be returning to more formal writing instruction, which includes a keyboard section for older students in the K-6 school. 

“Valley View is recognizing that they have children that are struggling with handwriting,” Hall said. “So, they're going back to a formal program.”  

At Salmon Prairie School, south of Swan Lake, enrollment has also increased from four to six students this year. While the school has no renovations planned for their one-room schoolhouse, Hall said they are considering upgrading their math curriculum.  

Hall explained one of the biggest changes this year that will affect the whole county is new transportation reimbursement rates. During the 2025 Montana legislative session lawmakers decided to opt into the state paying 75%, leaving 25% to the county. Hall said typically the state and county has split it 50-50 but this new structure will help local taxpayers.  

    Desks were moved outside of Valley View School Sunday before a crew moved them around the corner and into the new multi-purpose building. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Beck Suttenfield flies high, with help from his dad, Bill, and the swings at Valley View School, west of Polson. The school's new addition is in the background. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)