We appreciate that the Board of Public Education unanimously supported the new school accreditation process during their May 2023 meeting. The new timeline for the implementation is:

 

Accreditation Implementation - 2023 The Board of Public Education establishes accreditation rules. The OPI is responsible for the effective implementation of the rules. January: Rules Analysis New Assessment Data System Requirements Finalized; March: BOPE Update Draft Document Progress Legislature. Governor's Office Update April Rules Guidance Documents Draft; Stakeholder Input; May: BOPE Required Action; June: Final Rules Document Release; Testing New Data System; August: Implementation of Accreditation Systems

 

Thank you to all of the Task Force and Negotiated Rulemaking Committee members for the great work in advancing educational excellence in our Montana public schools.

The Superintendent’s recommended rule changes were reviewed by the Board of Public Education during the August 15, 2022 meeting. 

The following documents were sent to the Board of Public Education:

What are the Accreditation Standards?

School accreditation standards include rules on curriculum, class sizes, teacher and staff qualifications, Indian Education for All, and student learning assessment to ensure all students receive a quality education.

 

Accreditation Feedback Sessions

Accreditation Feedback Sessions Schedule

 

View additional Chapter 55 School Quality Task Force and 

Negotiated Rule Making Committee materials on the Ch55 landing page: 

Submitted Public Comment can be viewed on the Chapter 55 Landing Page

Ch55 Landing Page

 

Task Force Meeting Information

January 11, 2022

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

January 25, 2022

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

January 26, 2022

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

February 8, 2022 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

February 22, 2022 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

March 8, 2022 (In Person) 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

March 9, 2022 (In Person) 8:00AM - 2:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

March 22, 2022 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording Pt.1 | Recording Pt.2

April 5, 2022 11:00AM - 1:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording 

April 14, 2022 (In Person) 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

April 21, 2022 (In Person) 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

May 5, 2022 (In Person) 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

May 19, 2022 (In Person) 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Recording

Task Force Membership

Billi Taylor - Harrison K-12 Schools, District Superintendent 

Daniel Lee - University of Montana, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership

David Pafford - Noxon Public Schools, Board Chairperson

Emily Dean - Montana School Boards Association, Director of Advocacy 

Gary Lusin - Bozeman Public Schools, Board Chairperson

Gayle Venturelli - Anaconda Public Schools, Board Chairperson

Heather Hoyer - Great Falls Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent 7-12

Heather Jarrett - Reed Point Public Schools, District Superintendent 

Janelle Beers - Montana Small Schools Alliance, Executive Director

Jon Konen - Corvallis K-12 Schools, District Superintendent 

Tony Warren - Turner Public Schools, District Superintendent and Principal

McCall Flynn - Board of Public Education, Executive Director - Task Force Ex-Officio Member

Task Force Contacts

Julie Murgel - Chief Operating Office, OPI

julie.murgel@mt.gov 

Tristen Loveridge - Project Manager, OPI

tristen.loveridge@mt.gov 

Public Comment

Public Comment - Ratios
Public Comment - Electives
Public Comment - Library
Revision Rationale and Timeline
Preliminary Economic Impact Statement

Public Comment During School Quality Task Force Meetings
 

The School Quality Taskforce meetings are open to the public electronically. For those wishing to give virtual public comment, please contact Tristen Loveridge to request the zoom link for the meeting. Members of the public who have joined may “raise their hand” at the appropriate time and participate after being recognized by the Taskforce Facilitator. Written public comment may be submitted to the School Quality Task Force at Tristen Loveridge and will be shared with the taskforce members and recorded in the meeting minutes.  Please submit comments by the established cut-off time listed below.  The public comment time frame will be published on the agenda, with a three minute limit per comment. Note that taskforce members will not respond or ask questions during public comment. 

School Quality Task Force Public Comment Schedule 

Meeting Date

Virtual public comment time frame

Written public comment submission cut-off time

January 25, 2022

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM 

Jan. 25 by 3:00 PM

January 26, 2022

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM 

Jan.26 by 12:00PM 
February 8, 2022
 
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM 
Feb. 8 by 11:00 AM
February 22, 2022
 
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM 
Feb. 22 by 11:00 AM
March 8, 2022
 
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Mar. 8 by 3:00 PM
March 9, 2022
 
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Mar. 9 by 12:00 PM
March 22, 2022
 
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM 
Mar. 22 by 11:00 AM
April 5, 2022
 
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM 
Apr. 5 by 11:00 AM
April 14, 2022
 
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Apr. 14 by 3:00 PM
April 15, 2022
 
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM 
Apr. 15 by 12:00 PM

 Where can I learn more? 

If you have additional questions, please contact tristen.loveridge@mt.gov 

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Meeting Information

February 24, 2022 (Orientation) 3:00PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

March 17, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

March 18, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 8:00AM - 2:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

April 13, 2022 3:30PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

April 20, 2022 3:30PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

May 2, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 10:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

May 3, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 8:00AM - 2:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Summary | Recording

May 18, 2022 3:30PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Recording

May 25, 2022 3:30PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Recording

June 1, 2022 3:30PM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes | Recording

June 6, 2022 3:00PM - 5:30PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 9, 2022 3:00PM - 5:30PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 16, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 17, 2022 (In Person, Helena) 8:00AM - 3:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 23, 2022 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 28, 2022 1:00PM - 3:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

June 30, 2022 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

July 15, 2022 8:00AM - 12:00PM

Agenda | Minutes |  Recording

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Membership

Adrea Lawrence - University of Montana, Dean of College of Education

Chris Olszewski - Billings Public Schools, Curriculum Director

Christina Wekkin - Alberton Public Schools, Teacher

Corey Barron - Lodge Grass Schools, Principal, Tribal Representative 

Craig Mueller - Havre Public Schools, District Superintendent

Curtis Smeby - Havre Public Schools, Trustee

Julie Murgel - Office of Public Instruction, Chief Operating Officer

Kelly Dey - Sidney Public Schools, Trustee

Kitty Logan - Swan Valley School, Trustee

Krystal Zentner - Bridger MT, Parent

Lisa Petersen - Westby K-12 Schools, Teacher

Michele Paine - Flathead High School, Principal

Patti Drake - Whitehall School District, District Clerk/Business Manager

Renee Schoening - MT School Counselor Association, Executive Director

Rhonda Long - Fergus County, County Superintendent

Ruth Uecker - Great Falls Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent K-6

Sharyl Allen - Office of Public Instruction, Deputy Superintendent 

Stephen Schreibeis - Glendive Public Schools, District Superintendent

Sue Corrigan - Montana School Board Association, Kalispell Municipal Director

Susan Lake - Montana Taxpayer

Tara Hubing - Circle Schools K-12, Teacher

McCall Flynn - Board of Public Education, Executive Director - Negotiated Rule Making Committee Ex-Officio Member

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Contacts

Aislinn Brown - Deputy Bureau Chief, Agency Legal Services Bureau 

Tristen Loveridge - Project Manager, OPI

tristen.loveridge@mt.gov 

Public Comment

Public Comment - Ratios
Public Comment - Electives
Public Comment - Library
Revision Rationale and Timeline
Preliminary Economic Impact Statement

Public Comment During School Quality Negotiated Rule Making Committee Meetings
 

The School Quality Negotiated Rule Making Committee meetings are open to the public electronically. Public Comment periods will be open at the beginning of each action item during meetings. For those wishing to give virtual public comment, please contact ch55publiccomment@mt.gov  to request the zoom link for the meeting. Members of the public who have joined may “raise their hand” at the appropriate time and participate after being recognized by the Committee Facilitator. Written public comment may be submitted to the School Quality Negotiated Rule Making Committee at ch55publiccomment@mt.gov and will be shared with the committee members and recorded in the meeting minutes.  Please submit written comments by the established cut-off time listed below.  The public comment time frame will be published on the agenda, with a three minute limit per comment. Note that committee members will not respond or ask questions during public comment. 

School Quality Negotiated Rule Making Committee Written Public Comment Schedule 

Meeting Date

Written public comment submission cut-off time

April 13, 2022

Apr. 13th by 3:00 PM

April 20, 2022

Apr. 20th by 3:00 PM

May 2, 2022

May 2nd by 3:00 PM

May 3, 2022

May 3rd by 12:00 PM

May 9, 2022

May 9th by 3:00 PM

May 10, 2022

May 10th by 12:00 PM

May 18, 2022

May 18th by 3:00 PM

June 1, 2022
 
June 1st by 2:00 PM

June 6, 2022

Jun. 6th by 3:00 PM

June 16, 2022

Jun. 16th by 3:00 PM

June 17, 2022

Jun 17th by 12:00 PM

 Where can I learn more? 

If you have additional questions, please contact ch55publiccomment@mt.gov