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The OPI is providing this monthly newsletter to legislators to keep you updated on current events and ongoing education-related issues in Montana. The next Navigator will be sent to you on September 2nd, 2022.
Click here to play the shout-out.
State Superintendent Message:
Montana has many wonderful learning opportunities for families during the summer including our beautiful Capitol. August is Back to School Month! Our teachers and administrators are preparing to welcome our students back into the classroom for another year of learning. When school doors open with the first bell ringing, the focus will be on student learning. My office is always here to help our Montana schools have another successful school year! Let’s get back to the basics of math and reading to deliver educational excellence to our Montana students.
Education News
Press Releases from the OPI:
June 20 - August 8, 2022
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021
HB 632 ARPA Infrastructure Advisory Council:
Lead remediation dollars are still available to schools. Please see the map of schools that have not been tested as of July 25, 2022.
For more information, please contact Greg Montgomery, Drinking Water Scientist, DEQ, at DEQleadinschools@mt.gov or (406) 444-5312.
Broadband update:
Welcome to Victoria Hoefler, OPI Broadband Data Specialist. Victoria is bridging the gap between our schools and broadband connectivity. She has formulated a survey for our schools that will evaluate our school’s broadband needs.
Please watch Victoria’s message here.
The 2021 Legislature passed and Governor Gianforte signed SB297 creating the ConnectMT Act. The Department of Administration (DOA) is responsible for establishing and administering the broadband infrastructure deployment program.
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The Department is receiving and reviewing responsive proposals and awarding contracts. Before awarding any contracts, contracts will be reviewed by the Communications Advisory Commission created by HB632 to oversee Montana's American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The Governor will then approve any proposal recommended for funding by the Department. The next ARPA meeting is on August 8, 2022.
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For more information contact Victoria Hoefler Broadband Project Manager (406) 438-3601 victoria.hoefler@mt.gov.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds - ESSER:
OPI invites you to learn more about ESSER and understanding the use of funds during the ESSER Funds Management Conference. These are COVID relief dollars from HB 630. Click to see school district ESSER_I,_II,_III Allocations.pdf (mt.gov).
To register and see the agenda, please click here.
ESSER and EANS Expenditures as of August 1, 2022:
For information contact Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov or (406) 437-8595.
Other ARPA Fund Use:
The Teacher Residency Program and the Teacher Leader Academies (TLA) utilize ARPA funds for teacher retention and recruitment. TLA participants develop skills and competencies focused on leadership, engagement, advocacy, problem-solving, and instructional coaching.
On Wednesday, June, 22 Superintendent Arntzen joined the completion celebration for the First Teacher Leader Academy in Bozeman.
Legislative Updates
State-Tribal Compact Schools:
"I'm always on the lookout for the most innovative, outside the box thinking and approach for public education in Indian country. Montana's demographics are clear. Of all 400+ school districts in the state, public schools on Montana's Indian reservations have the lowest national test scores in the state. Montana is at the lower end of the spectrum, on the national level of the same national standardized test scores. While everybody touts how successful schools are, I'm not convinced. Until the achievement gap is closed, then I may believe that moniker. In the mean time, I will reserve my thoughts. The Class 7 certificate holders need to be held to the same standards as other classified education instructors, whether it be Class 2, 3, or 4. The curriculum needs to be compensated to those on the ground having to create this curriculum for the public classroom. Alaska's SB 34 is a true testament of approaching this disparity at a whole new level. I'm working with the legislatures bill's drafter to create a specific Montana made approach," said Representative Jonathan Windy Boy - HD32.
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Back-To-School
School Bus Stop Arms:
The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) held a public meeting to finalize guidance about the recent extended stop arm requirements. The statute and rules took effect July 1, 2022:
OPI staff, school bus operators, school district officials, the school bus standards task force members, and Rep. Neil Duram were all involved in the discussion about the draft guidance. Following a through discussion on the legal requirements and the implementation of these requirements, the OPI's guidance was finalized as proposed.
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If you have questions, feel free to contact Donell Rosenthal or (406) 461-9316.
School Lunch:
Free and reduced school meals will require that family income information be reported this coming school year. This requirement was waived during the last two school years. For the 2022-2023 school year, schools will be using a digital streamlined application for income determination of the Free and Reduced Meals program.
Upcoming Events
Legislative Calendar:
- August 8, 2022, HB 632 ARPA Communications Advisory Commission
- August 10th, 2022, State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee
- August 11th, 2022, State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee
- August 11th, 2022, Information Technology Planning Council
- August 15th, 2022, Land Board
- August 15th, 2022, Board of Public Education
- August 16th, 2022, Economic Affairs Committee
- August 19th, 2022, Legislative Consumer Committee
- August 24th, 2022, Legislative Council
- August 25th, 2022, Children, Families, Health and Human Services
- August 25th, 2022, Legislative Council
- August 26th, 2022, Children, Families, Health and Human Services
- August 29th, 2022, Law and Justice Committee
- August 30th, 2022, Board of Public Education
- August 30th, 2022, Criminal Justice Oversight Council
- August 30th, 2022, Districting and Apportionment Commission
- September 1st, 2022, Financial Modernization and Risk Analysis Study (MARA)
OPI Updates
Committees OPI Attended:
OPI Proposed Legislation:
The OPI submitted the following for proposed agency-requested legislation:
- Fulfill Legislative “Promise is a Promise” - Base Aid Plus Inflation:
The Montana public school district system of funding is primarily calculated from what is termed BASE aid defined in section §20-9-306, MCA. BASE aid is made up of various components and includes the following:
(a) direct state aid for 44.7% of the basic entitlement and 44.7% of the total per-ANB entitlement for the general fund budget of a district;
(b) guaranteed tax base aid
(c) quality educator payment;
(d) at-risk student payment;
(e) Indian education for all payment;
(f) American Indian achievement gap payment;
(g) data-for-achievement payment; and
(h) special education allowable cost payment.
When the Superintendent of Public Instruction prepares the ensuing biennium’s budget these components must be adjusted for inflationary changes defined in section §20-9-326, MCA. Currently, the rate of increase for these components is estimated at 2.7% for FY2024 and 3% for FY2025. Additionally, cost estimates are adjusted for enrollment growth, taxable valuation adjustments as well as other factors. At this time many of the needed factors are either not known or are currently being estimated but each will be known as we move closer to the legislative session and cost estimates will be adjusted accordingly.
2. Teacher License Dollars Working for Teachers - Redirecting Educator License Fees:
This is a new proposal to redirect teacher license fees to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to fund the costs of administering the teacher licensing program. Currently, every 5 years the basic licensing fee is $30. OPI renews about 4,500 licenses per year for an average of $135,000. Typically, 1,800 new licenses are issued each year for a total of $64,800.
Under §20-4-109, MCA, 66.7% of collected license fees are distributed to fund the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council (CSPAC), and the remaining 33.3% is distributed to fund the Board of Public Education general activities. OPI will use the license fee revenues to offset the ongoing maintenance costs of the new TeachMontana licensing system. This is also a support of the Board of Public Education's funding request.
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For more information, contact Crystal Andrews at crystal.andrews@mt.gov or (406) 444-6325.
3. Supporting School Mental Health Programs:
This is a discussion with the Governor’s office and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) on student mental health. There is a steering committee with Senator John Esp and Senator Bob Keenan that has been working toward possible solutions including a screening tool to support community/school-based mental health programs. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been drafted and submitted to procurement by DPHHS.
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Fiscal Responsibility:
The OPI offers flexibility in employee choice through a telework option. Currently, there are 72 teleworkers dispersed across our state. This option has allowed the OPI to move from four office buildings to two. The OPI now leases two state-owned buildings and moved out of the private leased building, which had the most significant fiscal footprint. This action will permit more budgeting resources to serve our schools and students both in general fund and federal tax dollars.
Chapter 55: Standards of Accreditation:
A big thank you to the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (NRC). The final meeting was held on July 15, 2022. The NRC met 18 times, beginning February 24, and held the last round of negotiations on July 15. In total, a consensus was reached on 49 of the 50 individual negotiated rules.
The NRC did not reach a consensus on ARM 10.55.710 – Assignment of School Counseling Staff. The Superintendent's recommendation includes the agreed upon language from the NRC on this rule.
Three economic impact surveys were sent to over 20,000 public school advocates by Superintendent Arntzen at the request of the NRC. This survey will be used to develop an economic impact statement as required per §2-4-405, MCA during the rulemaking process. The statement will determine if there are any substantial cost implications associated with the proposed rule changes. The Education Interim Committee will receive and review the impact statement.
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The first economic impact survey was released on June 20, 2022, and closed on July 5, 2022, with 652 responses. The second economic impact statement was released on July 1, 2022, and closed on July 8, 2022, with 128 survey responses. The third economic survey was released on July 15, 2022, and closed on July 21, 2022, with 277 responses. |
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On July 22, 2022, Superintendent Arntzen sent an economic impact statement report, a final report of the Chapter 55 process, and all of the proposed recommended changes to Chapter 55 to the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE).
The BPE will hold a special meeting on August 15 at the state Capitol to review the proposed changes. This meeting will be available on MPAN. The rules will open for public comment under the Montana Administrative Procedure Act (MAPA) process. In early 2023, the BPE will adopt new school accreditation rules.
For more information, please contact Julie Murgel, Chief Operating Officer at julie.murgel@mt.gov or (406) 444-3172.
Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) Pilot Program:
During July, 32 Montana fifth and seventh-grade math and English teachers completed an assessment-writing workshop in Denver. During the workshop, these teachers developed test questions for the new Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) pilot program. The MAST pilot program is designed to replace the one-size-fits-all end-of-the-year summative assessment with smaller testlets that are taken closest to the learning of the skill throughout the school year.
New Meridian hosted the workshop in Denver, Colorado. This workshop focused on writing math and reading test questions for grades 5 and 7. These new test questions will align with Montana’s math and reading state teaching and learning standards. The MAST pilot program is designed to provide several testlets given throughout the year that will aggregate into a total score. These testlets will minimally disrupt day-to-day classroom teaching and learning while being reflective of the time when the skill is taught. The MAST pilot program is being developed with local Montana stakeholder input as a tool our Montana teachers can use to maximize student academic achievement and classroom learning
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New Meridian will implement the MAST Pilot Program starting this school year. New Meridian will assist the OPI with piloting the “Through Year Assessment” in Grades 5 and 7 during the 2022-2023 school year and needs a minimum of 30 districts, 30 schools, 60 Teachers, and 2,000 students per grade tested.
To sign up or get involved, contact the Assessment Help Desk at 1-844-867-2569 or opiassessmenthelpdesk@mt.gov.
Back-to-School Employee Gathering:
On August 25 the OPI will celebrate the opening of the 2022-2023 school year with a staff event in the Rotunda. Retired Carroll College Coach Mike Van Diest will coach up the OPI staff on what it means to be a servant leader. There will be an emphasis on safety with a presentation from the OPI safety team. Teri Jensen, the new Employee Engagement Coordinator will also present.
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OPI Organization Chart:
Please see the OPI Org Chart with links to our teams' biographies and pictures.
Land Board
Fire Report Update:
As the Superintendent is part of the Land Board §77-1-201, MCA a fire report is included. A shout out to Polson High School and Sommers Middle School for opening their doors to shelter displaced families. As of August 4, 2022, no fires are affecting state trust lands.
2022 Fire Situation Update – August 1
Fire Map:
As of August 3, 2022. Click here to view the interactive map.
Countdown
68th Legislature:
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Day 1 of the session, January 2, 2023, is 150 days away. |
Questions? Contact:
Brian O'Leary, Communications Director, (406) 444-3559
Tara Boulanger, Legislative Liaison, (406) 444-2082
The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.
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