Washington Elementary in Billings could be converted into a campus for high school students focusing on early college and technology careers next year.

Garcia explained that Washington students would be moved next fall to Miles Avenue, Broadwater and Newman elementary schools. Teachers and support staff from Washington would also move with the students.

The district would then convert Washington to house two new programs, one aimed at providing college credits to high school students and the other offering intensive classes for those pursuing technology jobs.

The Early College High School program would enroll students in joint high school and college classes, allowing them to graduate as seniors with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree. It would be the first in the state, Garcia said.

Garcia explained that Washington was chosen as the venue because it has a steadily declining enrollment and now has the lowest enrollment of all 22 district elementary schools. As a result, the school is the most expensive per student to run.

The elementary school district is running on a $3.5 million budget deficit. Using Washington for high school classes would allow SD2 officials to move $1.5 million from the high school district budget into the elementary district, helping to reduce the elementary deficit, Garcia said.

Other financial challenges adding to the district’s woes are the increasing costs of providing health insurance for employees and Montana having the lowest pay in the nation for starting teachers, Garcia said.

Garcia said his proposal is an “administrative decision” not requiring approval of the nine-member school board. However, he said, he does not intend to move forward without the trustees’ support.

Billings Gazette: SD2 proposes converting Washington Elementary into high school 'Innovation Center'