What a heartless decision from the Billings School District 2 school board and superintendent. First off, they've been dragging this family along since November of last year. Now, they're telling the family that this issue will NOT be on the school board agenda.

Unbelievable.

For those who haven't heard the news out of Billings, the parents of a Billings West High cheerleader who has Down Syndrome are speaking out. This, as the school board is refusing to allow their daughter Emily to attend school for her senior year. She also won't be allowed to graduate.

Jana and James Pennington told me that they received an email from the school district on Monday saying that the board is refusing to allow this topic to come up on the agenda at the school board meeting.

Our friends Paul Mushaben and Mark Wilson have both written some great stories about this. Click here for Paul's commentary as he says SD2 should be ashamed. Mark has a great idea for how businesses can show their support for Emily.

James Pennington told me when this whole ordeal started, he figured the school district would "celebrate" the news that Emily could now attend her senior year and graduate. Montana law allows kids with disabilities to attend high school even if they're above the age of 18. And recently, the Montana Legislature provided funding to help make it happen. And yet the school district hides behind their heartless policy.

Jana Pennington: We're not the only parents that have asked for this. There's a lot of kiddos that are going to be in Emily's same situation that are coming up in the system who have reached out to us. So it's not just the issue for us. There's a lot of things that have gone on since COVID as well, kids that are behind. But what what we can't seem to understand is why we keep getting told it's a funding issue when there's funds available.

Here's is the full audio of our chat with Emily's parents Jana and James Pennington.

KEEP READING: Here are the most popular baby names in every state

Using March 2019 data from the Social Security Administration, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular names in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., according to their 2018 SSA rankings. The top five boy names and top five girl names are listed for each state, as well as the number of babies born in 2018 with that name. Historically common names like Michael only made the top five in three states, while the less common name Harper ranks in the top five for 22 states.

Curious what names are trending in your home state? Keep reading to see if your name made the top five -- or to find inspiration for naming your baby.

 

More From KMPT-AM