Education Advocates

About Education Advocates

The Education Advocates meetings are organized by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI). The purpose of these meetings is to build strong relationships with educational partners by: updating them on OPI’s current projects, coordinating educational initiatives, and more importantly working together to serve Montana students. Representatives from the Governor’s Office, the Legislative Fiscal Division (LFD), the Legislative Services Division (LSD), the Montana Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC), Montana Rural Education Association (MREA), the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA), the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), the School Administrators of Montana (SAM), and U.S. Congressional Office Representatives are invited to attend each month.

Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Exceptions are made for holidays and special circumstances, in which case meeting details will be sent out informing all of the changes. Meetings begin at 9:30 AM and typically last half an hour. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings are being held via Zoom. The agenda for each meeting is sent out a week prior to the meeting. A conference call line is also set up for each meeting for those unable to attend in person. For more information, please call the OPI at 406-444-3559.

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Education Advocates Meetings & Materials

Upcoming Meeting Dates

All meetings are from 9:30 am - 10:30 am

Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Join upcoming meetings:

Education Advocates Meeting Link

Meeting ID:815 3043 5755 Password: 511121

Meetings are subject to change due to a holiday and/or special circumstances.
Agendas and materials will be posted online as they become available.

Previous Meetings & Materials

July 18, 2023:

Agenda | Meeting

Related Materials:

ESSER Update
- June District Allocation
- ELO Summer Program
- Broadband
MAST Update
Stronger Connections Grant
Data Modernization
MILP Rules and Timeline

2023 Meetings & Materials

Related Materials:

April 18, 2023:

Agenda | Meeting

Related Materials:

ESSER Update
- March District Allocation
- March Trustees Allocation
Assessment/MAST Updates
Chapter 55 Accreditation Update
ESSA Addendum Waiver - Funding Title I Part A
- Proposed Request
Data Modernization Update

March 21, 2023:

Agenda | Meeting

Related Materials:

February 21, 2023:

Agenda | Meeting

Related Materials:

2020 New Resident Individual Income Taxes
ESSER Update
Data Modernization
MAST Update
Legislation Update
- OPI Priority Legislation:
  - HB 2 – includes teacher licensing fees being used for TeachMT maintenance and a One-Time-Only audiology payment
  - HB 15 – Base Aid
  - HB 171 – Tuition Reimbursement for Mental Health Facilities
- Other Legislation:
  - HB 394 – State-Tribal Education Accord School
  - HB 501 – Textbook Dealers
  - HB 503 – Teacher Certification
  - HB 504 – Grievance Policy