News briefs, April 15
Polson receives IFEA
POLSON- Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau announced Polson School District has won a $10,339 award to advance Indian Education for all Polson area students. Polson School district was one of only 17 Montana schools that will receive grants to help enhance and sustain the program.
"These awards are an investment in the young people who will shape the future of Montana," said Juneau. The award will help fund an 18-month project in which districts will work cooperatively with a Montana tribal government entity, a tribal college, a tribal educator, or an Indian education organization to promote sustainable (IEFA) efforts in Montana school districts.
The Montana Indian Education for All Act, the first of its kind in the country, provides that Montana schools are to include curricula about the history, culture and contemporary status of the state's American Indian population. The act is based on Montana's constitution, which reads that the state "recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indian and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity."
"We are proud of the efforts to sustain Indian Education for All in Polson schools," said Juneau. "The history and contemporary culture of American Indians is a significant piece of Montana's heritage."
Juneau said what makes these awards unique is that they offer different kinds of support to meet the specific needs identified by local districts. "Some schools are compiling materials for classrooms, some are setting up training for staff, and some schools are creating and evaluating comprehensive curricula," she said.
-Courtesy of the Montana Office of Public Instruction
Sheehan sentenced to more time
POLSON - A Polson man was sentenced to more prison time last Thursday after having his suspended sentence revoked.
Chase Sheehan, 20, was sentenced to 45 years with 41 suspended in the Montana State Prison after reports of violations earlier this year from corrections officers at the prison while he was incarcerated and served his original sentence from 2005.
Sheehan was originally arrested and found guilty of sexual intercourse without consent after he sexually assaulted a six year old boy in late 2004 and early 2005. Sheehan, who was 15 at the time, was sentenced to 50 years in prison with 35 suspended before his sentence was adjusted in 2006 to 50 years with all but five suspended. He was held at Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility until the age of 18.
His reported violations and indiscretions while incarcerated on the original charge led to the revocation in Judge Kim Christopher's District Courtroom. He is required to complete phase I and II of sex offender treatment while in prison. Sheehan has been designated a Level III sex offender, meaning "the risk of a repeat sexual offense is high, there is a threat to public safety, and the evaluator believes that the offender is a sexually violent predator."
-Reporter Sasha Goldstein
Mission Range Event Center plans move forward
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Lake County officials and the City of Ronan are currently working through plans for a new Mission Range Events Center.
Plans for the center have been discussed since 2006 and the site for the new center will be on the southwest corner of town close to the city sewer facility.
The north half of the events center will be owned by the tribes and the south half, which will be comprised of fairgrounds including a horse arena and horse barn, will be owned by the City of Ronan.
The center will be built in phases and construction might continue through 2015. Total gross cost of the center exceeds $2 million.
Grants have already been approved for construction and more are expected to pass.
Construction is planned to begin this summer.
-Reporter David Flores