Montana schools are in a challenging space right now -- budget deficits, troubles retaining staff and programs being cut.
“Our basic school funding formula is no longer adequate,” said Luke Muszkiewicz at an Office of Public Instruction meeting.
Members of OPI’s working group, more than 170 Montanans, were assembled to assess what needs to change in the state’s education.
“We’ve exhausted all of the revenue opportunities that are available,” said Mike Waterman, a member of the working group.
Katharine Bloodgood oversaw the meetings and will send ideas formed in the past four months of the working group to state lawmakers.
“None of the solutions are our solutions. They’re their solutions, and we’re passing everything as organized as possible,” said Bloodgood, the OPI legislative liaison.
The suggestions will be used as a roadmap for the decennial study of school funding.
Officials with OPI thought it was important to voice what the average Montanan wants to see from education in the state.
“And I think that in itself will craft and give the Decennial Committee a lot more understanding,” said OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen.
Solutions include cost-of-living increases, lessening reliance on levies and including special education programs in school funding.
Another common complaint with the group was the lack of understanding in their own communities.
“How we as a community can come together and how people in the community could better understand how education funding works,” Bloodgood said. “Where the money is coming from, their tax dollars, but how it’s being spent. A lot of people feel like there’s a disconnect there.”
The Decennial Study of School Funding will take place in 2025.
From NBC Montana
by Bowen West
Fri, August 2nd 2024 at 5:00 PM
Updated Fri, August 2nd 2024 at 6:12 PM
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-opi-working-group-prepares-to-send-education-roadmap-to-legislators
“Our basic school funding formula is no longer adequate,” said Luke Muszkiewicz at an Office of Public Instruction meeting.
Members of OPI’s working group, more than 170 Montanans, were assembled to assess what needs to change in the state’s education.
“We’ve exhausted all of the revenue opportunities that are available,” said Mike Waterman, a member of the working group.
Katharine Bloodgood oversaw the meetings and will send ideas formed in the past four months of the working group to state lawmakers.
“None of the solutions are our solutions. They’re their solutions, and we’re passing everything as organized as possible,” said Bloodgood, the OPI legislative liaison.
The suggestions will be used as a roadmap for the decennial study of school funding.
Officials with OPI thought it was important to voice what the average Montanan wants to see from education in the state.
“And I think that in itself will craft and give the Decennial Committee a lot more understanding,” said OPI Superintendent Elsie Arntzen.
Solutions include cost-of-living increases, lessening reliance on levies and including special education programs in school funding.
Another common complaint with the group was the lack of understanding in their own communities.
“How we as a community can come together and how people in the community could better understand how education funding works,” Bloodgood said. “Where the money is coming from, their tax dollars, but how it’s being spent. A lot of people feel like there’s a disconnect there.”
The Decennial Study of School Funding will take place in 2025.
From NBC Montana
by Bowen West
Fri, August 2nd 2024 at 5:00 PM
Updated Fri, August 2nd 2024 at 6:12 PM
https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/montana-opi-working-group-prepares-to-send-education-roadmap-to-legislators
