Data Operations- Meet the Team

Angie Woodrow

406-444-5311
Data Operations Manager

Work-Related Duties:

1. Leads the daily operations of the data operations team and supervises data professionals.
2. Oversees the collection, analysis, and reporting of data.
3. Researches, develops, and distributes policies and guidelines to address issues related to operational data management.

Angie Woodrow joined OPI in April 2025. Before starting at OPI, she spent 15 years working with law enforcement for the State of Oklahoma. Angie is passionate about public service and data-driven decision making. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. In her free time, Angie and her husband enjoy exploring Montana and discovering new places.

 Meghann Spring

406-444-0793
Ed Facts Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Functions as the EdFacts Coordinator for the submission of data to the federal government.
2. Manages the federal allocation process for Title I-A, Title I-D, Title II-A, Title III, Title IV-A, Title V (REAP), ABE (Adult Education), Carl D. Perkins, and State Vo-Ed (State CTE). Coordinates with all stakeholders in the allocation process to discuss goals, objectives, options, and expected results. Interprets federal and state laws which directly impact the allocation calculation process.
3. Central Systems Data Maintenance: Update the OPI Central database to maintain a centrally available, reliable source for data related to Montana schools, districts, and SPED cooperatives based on approved data worksheet.

Meghann was born and raised in North Central Montana and a graduate of Carroll College. With numerous years of state government service under her belt; the past 8 years has been with the OPI, reviewing data and working “behind the scenes” to support Montana Public schools, teachers, and students. As the EDFacts Coordinator for the OPI, Meghann works to support stakeholders of the OPI and completes federal reporting to the Department of Education.

 Amber Buchanan

406-444-2736
Title & School Support Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

1. Data and research analyst within the Federal Title I Part A and C, Title II, Title V, and Title IX programs including Migrant education, Homeless Education, Foster Education, Neglected/Delinquent programs, School Support and Improvement, and other federal programs.
2. Trains users in the field on how to use the data systems for their own evaluation of their program, including the Title I Part C Migrant education migrant specific data bases.
3. Perform quality assurance and quality control on data and evaluate the accuracy, veracity, and reliability of source information.

Amber graduated with honors from the University of Montana in 2005 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, with a concentration in Education, along with a Business and Information Technology Education minor. She began working at Office of Public Instruction in 2015.

 Scott Furois

406-444-3545
Operations Research Analyst

Work-Related Duties:

1. Assessment Data Analyst
2. Analyze and interpret PK-12 education data
3. Perform quality assurance and quality control on data

 Mattie Murphy

Teacher Data Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Manage Teacher Learning Hub
2. Data analysis (fulfill teacher data requests)
3. Project Manager (current managing the rebranding of the PDUPS system)

 Anna Hoerner

406-444-3000
Data Modernization Coordinator

Work-Related Duties:

1. Participate in data modernization project meetings
2. Coordinate completion of the data modernization project with internal and external stakeholders
3. Organize data project timelines

Anna grew up in Washington and moved to Helena to attend Carroll College. She received her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Political Science in 2016. In 2022, she received her MBA from the University of Mary. Before starting at OPI, she worked at Shodair for five years. She also coaches students in speech and debate. In her free time, Anna enjoys being outside and spending time with friends and family.

 Nicole Thuotte

406-444-2080
EDUCATE, Unit Manager

Work-Related Duties:

1. Education Data Collection Team Unit Manager
2. Infinite Campus System Manager
3. School Elections

Nicole has been with the OPI for more than 18 years, and has worked in Educator Licensure, School Finance, and IT & Data. She enjoys working with schools, helping them understand the importance of timely and accurate data collections - and working with the schools to reduce the burden of increased demand for data. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her children, sports of all kinds (coaching, playing, watching), and traveling to new places.

 Jennifer Straw

406-444-0714
EDUCATE Data Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Analyzes the accuracy and appropriateness of data collected from schools and districts for inclusion in the statewide student database and data warehouse.
2. Maintains data reporting functionality in state published reports. Also maintains reporting for the Education Data Collection team and other data owners to verify the accuracy of the data in Infinite Campus.
3. Develop and maintain validation and certification reports for scheduled data collections for state and federal reporting.

Jennifer is a Montana native and has worked for the OPI since August 2016.  She develops and maintain validation reports for data collections.  Jennifer also monitors data to identify duplicate students and other potential student and enrollment issues as well as providing technical support for districts and OPI staff in all of these areas.

 Andy Boehm

406-444-0375
EDUCATE Data Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Collects and maintains data for non-public schools and their participation in Federal programs.
2. Monitors data integrity in Infinite Campus for a variety of data collections.
3. Collects and verifies dropout, graduate and cohort data submitted through Infinite Campus.

Andy has been a Research Specialist since 2002 and has worked with Infinite Campus since the 2006-07 school year. Andy is a Data Steward for dropout, graduate, and cohort data collection. This includes reviewing certification status and contacting districts for follow-up. Andy provides technical support for districts and OPI staff as it relates to Infinite Campus data collections. He manages communication and data collection for the annual Non-Public student enrollment data collection for private school and home school students.

 Shara Blair

406-444-0685
EDUCATE Data Specialist

Work-Related Duties:

1. Provides support to Montana schools for Infinite Campus Data Reporting and CTE Programs.
2. Analyzes education records for quality assurance and integrity to enable effective agency decisions and reporting.
3. Develops and presents documentation or materials as needed to support data collections and reporting systems.

Shara joined OPI in January 2023. She holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Montana. She has been connected to K-12 education in some capacity since 2000. She has a passion for learning, collaboration and continual growth. She is proud to serve and support the administrators, educators, and staff that serve Montana schools, students and families. She and her husband, Dave, enjoy life in the Montana sun, waters and starry skies.

 Robin Clausen

406-444-3793
SLDS Stakeholder Liaison

Work-Related Duties:

1. Research
2. Reporting
3. Data Requests

Dr. Robin Clausen works closely on two grants from the Institute of Education Science. He conducts primary research into the policy implications of supplemental poverty measures and in the area of dropout prevention. The commonality of his work centers on reporting; whether it be a research summary or providing OPI data to researchers throughout the US. In his free time, he focuses on family and everything Montanan (except for Bozeman where he grew up).