Lance Melton

Public education policymakers say hundreds of Montana school districts are eagerly lining up for state funding that would increase teacher pay.

Montana lawmakers generally agree public schools need more money to catch up with rising costs. But, they’re deeply divided on whether to extend state support to parents of private school students, and the donors who support them.

Montana lawmakers this week offered a first look at plans to boost teacher pay and school funding.

As Montana schools work to recruit and retain teachers, data suggest superintendent turnover in the state is among the highest in the nation.

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.

Several credible threats of violence prompted K-12 school lockdowns from Miles City to Missoula during the academic year that ended in June. School lockdowns can help prevent injuries and death in an emergency, but they can also leave significant emotional impacts on some students.

A bill signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte this week paves the way for the creation of Montana’s largest school health insurance trust. Some of the state’s largest districts are cautiously optimistic the trust could help keep its health plan affordable.

Montana public school advocates say health insurance costs have burdened districts and weighed down employee salaries for years. That could change with a bipartisan proposal heard in the state Legislature on Monday.

Arntzen told MTPR that her potential rule would seek exemptions for school policies to allow parents to make "responsible choices." She says the rule is needed because the "one-size-fits-all" model doesn’t work for all kids in school.

Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office Tuesday announced a new emergency rule telling public school districts they should consider input from parents and provide exemptions when it comes to mask mandates. Public health experts say the rule undermines measures to keep kids safe in schools.