Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3)

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) was adopted by the Montana legislature through SB203 which resulted in 20-1-230 & 20-1-231 MCA.  MIC3's purpose is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families. Through the Interstate Compact key educational transition issues encountered by children of military families are addressed.

MIC3 Resources

MIC3 Logo  Purple Star Logo

April is Month of the Military Child!

Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the resilience and sacrifices of military-connected students and their families. Purple Up Day on April 15 offers a simple but meaningful way to show support by wearing purple to represent all military branches.

To help schools and communities participate, Purple Up Month of the Military Child handout (PDF) highlights the importance of honoring military children and includes helpful resources and ideas for celebrating throughout the month.

What is Purple Up and how to celebrate (PDF)

Students and families gathered for the 2025 Purple Star Award ceremony
2025 Purple Star Award Ceremony

Hashtags to Celebrate Military Children

Use these hashtags to celebrate military children on social media:

  • #MOMC
  • #purpleup
  • #milkids
  • #MTmilkids
  • #milfam
  • #purpleupMT

Please join us in celebrating our military-connected students. Need ideas? Check out these packets provided by our partners at the Montana Army National Guard.

School Celebration Packets

Elementary School Packet (PDF)

Download the Elementary School packet (PDF)

Middle and High School Packet (PDF)

Download the Middle and High School packet (PDF)

Congratulations to our current Purple Star Schools for their commitment to supporting our military families!

As we ready for opening up for applications again this fall, please share with your local schools the opportunity to apply for a Purple Star Award designation. Our Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) addresses the key education transition issues encountered by military-connected students. We want to recognize and partner with schools across Montana who work to honor our many military families and students. 

MIC3 Information

Map of military connected students 

Military Connected Students in Montana

TOTAL - 1,478 students

Membership

  • Ray Shaw – MIC3 Compact Commissioner
  • Susie Hedalen – State Superintendent, Montana Office of Public Instruction
  • Brad Livingston – Retired Brigadier General, MANG
  • Representative Edward Buttrey – Montana House of Representatives
  • Brian Michelotti – Executive Director, Montana High School Association
  • Heather Hoyer – Superintendent, Great Falls Public Schools
  • Col Brian R. Low – 341st Mission Support Group Commander, Malmstrom AFB, US DoD Military Representative
  • Lisa Sapp – Military Family Education Liaison, US DoD Appointee

Montana MIC3

Resources

The Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission are accepting Purple Star School Designation applications until October 31, 2025. Awardees will be announced in November 2025.

The Purple Star School Designation for military-friendly schools recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite in honor of students of military families. This designation is valid for three years.

Staff and students from Valley Christian in Missoula with their Purple Star School award

Purple Star School Award Recipients

  • Montana School for the Deaf and Blind
    3922 Central Ave.
    Great Falls, MT 59405
  • Great Falls High School – Great Falls Public Schools
    1900 2nd Ave S
    Great Falls, MT 59405
  • Chief Joseph Elementary – Great Falls Public Schools
    5305 3rd Ave S
    Great Falls, MT 59405
  • Meadow Lark Elementary – Great Falls Public Schools
    2204 Fox Farm Rd.
    Great Falls, MT 59404
  • Early Learning Family Center – Great Falls Public Schools
    3300 3rd St NE
    Great Falls, MT 59403

    • >
Brian Holbein
    • Lt Col (Ret), JROTC Teacher at Great Falls High School >
Michael Wonch
    • MSgt (Ret), JROTC Teacher at Great Falls High School >
Col Christopher Karns
    Mission Support Group Commander, Malmstrom AFB

  • Valley Christian School, Missoula, MT (renewal)
  • Loy Elementary School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
  • North Middle School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
  • CMR High School, Great Falls, MT (renewal)
  • Washington Middle School, Glendive, MT

  • Nick Budeski
    High School Counselor at Great Falls High School
  • Jamie Williams
    Librarian and Instructional Coach at Great Falls High School
  • Lisa Sapp
    Department of the Air Force School Liaison, Malmstrom AFB

  • Holy Spirit Catholic School (Great Falls)
  • Riverview Elementary School (Great Falls)
  • Joliet Public Schools (Joliet, MT)

  • Mark Yeager, Great Falls Public Schools CTE Pathways Advisor
  • Tara Murillo, Great Falls Public Schools Librarian at Chief Joseph Elementary School
  • Montana Johnson, Great Falls Public Schools Counselor at Morningside Elementary

Contact Us

Primary Contact:
Ray Shaw
251 Bivens Creek Rd
Sheridan, MT 59749

Secondary Contact:
Katie Bloodgood
Deputy Chief of Staff & Policy Director, OPI
Phone: 406-444-2082