EAST HELENA — As we enter the third week of the government shutdown, pressure is mounting on some families that rely on a federal paycheck. However, there are programs in schools to help.

“We should expect things to continue running as normal, at least for the short term,” East Helena Public Schools Superintendent Dan Rispens said.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction says federal education programs are already approved, and funding should continue to flow despite the shutdown.

Rispens said his concern right now is for students and their families.

“Folks who live in our area that do work for the federal government, because the federal government does have a lot of offices in Helena, because we are the capital,” Rispens said. “We are concerned about children in those families if the

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