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

 

MIC3Logo  purplestar

 

 

April is 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, and Purple Up Day on April 15th offers a simple but meaningful way to show support by wearing purple to represent all military branches. To help schools and communities participate, this handout highlights the importance of honoring military children and includes helpful resources and ideas for celebrating throughout the month.

What is Purple up & How to Celebrate

2025 Purple Star Award Ceremony Image:

c5bc13dc-0961-49bb-a429-a1afb3372d45

 

Hashtags to celebrate military children:  • #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.

 

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

 

purplestar

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

 

Map of military connected students 

Military Connected Students in Montana

TOTAL - 1,478 students

 

MIC3 Membership Information

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 Misson Support Group Commander, Malmstrom AFB, US DoD Military Representative

Lisa Sapp – Military Family Education Liaison, US DoD Appointee

 

 

Montana MIC3

Montana State Council Bylaws

DRAFT Budget

Report to the State Administration and Veterans' Affairs Interim Committee - May 2018

Report to the Education Interim Committee - September 2018

National MIC3 2019 Annual Report

National MIC3 2020 Annual Report

 

Resource(s):

Seasons of My Military Student

 

  

MIC3 Meeting Information

Meetings and Materials:

November 2025
Agenda Minutes
 
July 2025
Agenda Minutes
 
November 2024
 
August 2024
 
April 2024
 
August 2023
 
April 2023
 
 

 

 

 

 

Purple Star Applications and Nominations

Purple Star Montana Logo_Banner (005)The Montana Office of Public Instruction and the Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission is accepting Purple Star School Designation applications will be accepted until October 31, 2025. The Awardees will be announced in November 2025.

The Purple Star School Designation for military-friendly schools recognizes the 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 for three years.

 

Purple Star School – Valley Christian in Missoula

Contact Information

Contact Us
Primary Contact:

Ray Shaw
251 Bivens Creek Rd
Sheridan, MT 59749
Secondary Contact: Katie Bloodgood
Deputy Chief of Staff & Policy Director- OPI
406-444-2082

2022-2023 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

2022-2023 Purple Star Champions Award Recipients

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

 

2023-2024 Purple Star Champions Award Recipients

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

 

2023-2024 Purple Star School Award Recipients

 

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 

 

2024-2025 Purple Star School Award Recipients

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

2024-2025 Purple Star Champions Award Recipients

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

 

 


 

 

Back to Top