Colstrip board adopts work‑based learning policy after clarifying application timing

The Colstrip Public Schools Board of Trustees voted to adopt policy 2600, a work‑based learning policy the district said it was implementing to align with the Office of Public Instruction’s updated career‑technical education guidance.

District staff said the policy will ensure students’ workplace experiences can be recorded on transcripts and meet accreditation standards. The draft policy originally contained a specific deadline phrase for applications; trustees amended the language to remove the fixed "prior to date" wording so that an application to receive credit toward graduation must be received by the district "on an annual basis." Staff and trustees emphasized that, even with the deadline language removed, students must still meet the required minutes (the board discussed an 8,100‑minute standard referenced in the legislative model) and other attendance and documentation requirements.

A trustee moving the policy said the change was intended to avoid barring students from credit for logistical reasons and to give staff flexibility while the district implements the new work‑based classes. The motion to adopt policy 2600, as amended, passed with recorded 'Aye' votes.

Board members also discussed forming a steering committee this summer to identify specific classes and workplace partnerships, and staff said some program specifics (for example, fingerprinting and scheduling for CNA classes) will vary by course and employer requirement.