The Organic Act of 1864 established the first laws regarding schools and school districts in Montana. The act decreed that sections 16 and 36 of all townships were to be set aside for use by schools. The establishment of school districts was to be governed by county superintendents. Later laws regarding Montana schools provided a more stable and supervised structure, as well as funding, for the development of school districts.
The first school in Valley County was established in 1888 and classes were held in a boxcar. In 1889 residents of the area petitioned Dawson County to create a school district, becoming district 9-1 of Dawson County. With the creation of Valley County in 1893, Henry Hedges of Saco, Montana, became the first county superintendent of schools. With the coming of homesteaders to the area, the county's population grew and, consequently, so did the number of schools. Again in the 1930s, with the construction of the Fort Peck Dam, the population and the schools grew exponentially. In later years the population diminished substantially and many of the schools closed. The Fort Peck School District was later absorbed by the Nashua School District, beginning with the 1985-1986 school year.
Valley County, which was created in 1893 from Dawson County, is one of the largest counties in Montana. It is bordered on the north by Canada and on the south by the Fort Peck Reservoir. The county seat is Glasgow. Portions of Valley County were taken to form Sheridan County (1913), Phillips County (1915), and Daniels County (1920).
These records of School District No. 21 of Valley County consist of teachers' registers from Midway, New Deal, Park Grove, Square Deal, Fort Peck, and Valley City elementary schools. A teacher's register records a pupil's entrance, attendance, and grades. List of textbooks, library books, and supplies are often included with the registers, as well as information about the teacher and the condition of the school building.
The collection is arranged by series.
Records of student grades created prior to January 1, 1975 are not confidential and not restricted; records of student grades created after January 1, 1975 are confidential and cannot be accessed without the student's permission. This confidentiality ends with the death of the student. The fact that a student attended a particular school is not confidential. (34 CFR 99)
This restriction is based on talking with the Legal Associate Counsel for the Montana Office of Public Instruction, on Nov. 18, 1996. Records created prior to January 1, 1975 are not restricted and FERPA is not retroactive. (FERPA was passed in 1974 and took effect on January 1, 1975.) After January 1, 1975, records of student grades are restricted and can be accessed only with the permission of the student, if over 18 years of age, or the parents if the student is under 18.
Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.
Acquisition informatin is available upon request.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the Montana Historical Society Archives catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search under these terms.
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.
This folder is retricted, per 34 CFR 99.