The OPI established the Budget & Education Working Group to gather information from the community and offer feedback that will serve as a resource for the legislature when considering education funding for the 2025 Biennium Budget and 2025 Legislative Session. OPI staff will provide a white paper and summary from the working group for the legislature.
This group will meet virtually 4 times before September to discuss the budget formula, ongoing budget discussion, and budgeting challenges our schools and community face while educating our students.
Over 170 Montana teachers, parents, taxpayers, school clerks, and superintendents submitted their names to be a part of the working group. Due to overwhelming interest, there will be seven breakout groups based on the areas of interest expressed on the application:
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Special needs students and programs
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Teacher pay, retention, & recruitment.
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Rural, population, & culture
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Sustainability & tax burden
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Programs & curriculum
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Funding formula
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School budgeting