During a recent visit to FHS, Senator Chet Blaylock, the Democratic nominee for governor, discussed an issue that hits close to home for both students and staff Ñ education.
"I'm deeply involved in education," said Blaylock.
The roots to his education concerns come from his experience teaching for 30 years in Laurel and Chinook, Montana. According to Blaylock, "overcrowding in high school is a major problem."
Blaylock informed the students that Flathead High School is growing too large and that we should find a way to slow down the process.
"When a school grows too big, students' grades drop," said Blaylock. "You're getting the most important thing you can ever get right now, which is an education."
Students raised both questions and concerns for the aspiring governor.
"Why do you support I-122 (Clean Water Act)," asked senior Hubert Turner.
The clean water act enforces improved water quality regulations for all metal mines in Montana, according to Blaylock.
"Nothing is more important than clean water," replied Blaylock. "Clean water is more important to me than gold."
Another concern that Blaylock expressed was the rise in the prison population in Montana.
According to Blaylock, the prison in Deer Lodge has reached its capacity at 1,350 inmates, resulting in 250 prisoners being bused to a private prison in Texas and 200 inmates backed up in county jails across the state. It costs Montana $3.7 million a year just to keep the prisoners in Texas.
"I don't want to become like California," said Blaylock. "They spend more on prisons than they do the whole university system."
"I thought he (Blaylock) was very informational and not nearly as liberal as I thought he would be," said senior Eric Rich. "Compared to Racicot, he doesn't stand a chance."
"He was good, but he kind of danced around the questions," said senior Danielle Batee.
"I thought he had a good point of view on most things," said senior Carrie Bartolini.
Said Heather Bybee:
"He was positive but he didn't seem motivated to do anything."