State won't expand review of HPS underfunding of colony schools

The state Office of Public Instruction has denied an appeal by two area Hutterite colonies that OPI expand its investigation into how much Havre Public Schools has shortchanged the colonies in Title I funds.

"The bottom line is, it's done at the state level at this point," Spencer Sartorius, state deputy superintendent of schools, said today. The colonies have 30 days from Oct. 31 to appeal OPI's decision to the U.S. Department of Education.

Joe Waldner, the school administrator of East End Colony, said today the colony will appeal. The school administrator of Hilldale Colony, Dave Kleinsasser...