August 6, 2018
Hello Montana parents, students, educators, and community members,
The 2018-2019 school year is just around the corner! The Office of Public Instruction looks forward to another year of serving all of Montana’s students and schools. Below are recent updates in our ongoing school safety conversations as well as recent state budget news which is having a positive impact on education funding.
School Safety
1.The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for emergency response plans has been created.
2.The OPI has submitted a STOP School Violence Prevention and Response Act grant application.
3.Superintendent Arntzen is participating in an upcoming Federal Commission on School Safety listening session in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
4.Homeland Security released their 2018 K-12 school security guide which provides preventive and protective measures to address the threat of gun violence in schools.
State Budget
Due to more positive state revenue outlooks, K-12 education in Montana will have about $1.1 million in funding restored as outline in Senate Bill 9. It will be allocated proportionately in the following three areas. This does not impact GTB funding.
1.$510,000 for secondary vo-ed funding
2.$217,547 for special education cooperatives
3.$413,814 for support services to local districts through OPI
Superintendent’s July Events
- CCSSO School Safety Steering Committee meeting
- CCSSO Summer Leadership Convention in Salt Lake
- Board of Public Education meeting
- Land Board meeting
- Meeting with statewide education advocacy groups
- Meeting with Superintendent of Montana’s Catholic Schools, Dr. Uhl
- Meeting with Commissioner of Higher Education, Clay Christian
For more information, contact dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov or 406-444-3559.