Dale Olinger

The Montana Legislature’s flagship policy aimed at boosting pay for new teachers is headed to the governor’s desk. A bipartisan group of lawmakers and public education advocates have cheered the so-called STARS Act. But, the policy is far from a cure-all for the financial issues plaguing public schools.

One of the Montana Legislature’s blockbuster proposals to boost school funding received universal, bipartisan acclaim during its debut hearing this week.

Montanans in May voted down tax increases to pay for public schools at rates not seen in at least 25 years, according to school board administrators.