School District Researches Visa Avenues

Wolf Point superintendent of schools David Perkins discussed his desire to keep foreign teachers in the school district on a long-term basis during the school board meeting on Monday, Nov. 13.

Trustee Michael Turcotte noted that there are some very good foreign teachers especially at Northside and Southside schools.

Perkins said he has been working with U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s office regarding the best route to maintain these teachers.

“We need to keep these types of teachers,” Perkins said.

He explained that teachers with a J-1 Visa are in the country more for the cultural experience, similar to foreign exchange students.

H1B Visas allow U.S. businesses to employ foreign nationals in specialty occupations. Primary and secondary school teachers fall within the category of specialty occupations.

To qualify for a H1B Visa, teachers must have a bachelor’s degree or higher or its equivalent. There is a national limit, however, of the amount of H1B Visas.

School board chair Roxanne Gourneau asked that Perkins keeps having conversations with Tester’s office about possible solutions.