The OPI is providing this newsletter every month for an update on current events and ongoing education-related issues in Montana. The next Navigator will be sent to you on January 5, 2022.

For previous editions of the Navigator click here.

Calendar of Events

Countdown to the 68th Legislative Session

31 days   From December 2, 2022, until the legislative session begins!

Important Upcoming Dates

2023 

68th Legislature - 2023 Session Calendar – Draft Schedule

Click here to view the Legislative Calendar.

Legislation

Montana Legislature Bill Search Results for Education

Click the image to link to the list of Schools and Education Bills.

As of 12/2/2022, there are 135 Total Requested Education Bill Drafts and 6 Introduced Bills. These requested bills fit into the following categories:

There are 38 Introduced Bills and 2,194 total Requested Bill Drafts as of 12/2/22.

OPI Priority Legislation

A Promise is a Promise: Base Aid requirements to fund Public Schools-this is in the Governor’s budget Teacher Dollars Working for Teachers: Teacher Licensing fees supporting the teacher licensing system-this is in the Governor’s budget Updating Audiology Equipment: one-time-only funding-this is in the Governor’s budget Student Mental Health: Amending mental health tuition payments to allow tuition for any residential mental health-currently working with DPHHS

Further OPI Legislation

Family

1. Immunity for use of a legal name
2. Montana Interstate Children’s Compact Commission Permanent Position
3. Identify violation of sexuality instruction statute as a gross neglect of duty
4. Empower families through local grievance process
5. Digital pre-K learning for kindergarten entrance

Teacher

1. Consolidate licenses to three types: teacher, administrator, and specialist
2. Require current contact information for licensees and applicants, and allow service of process via mail
3. Expand Teach Act
4. Move to 8 years in teacher retirement with sunset
5. Continue Teacher Residency program

Flexibility

1. State-tribal education compact
2. OPI approval of textbook content
3. Access to telework employees
4. Apply open meeting laws to associations composed of public bodies
5. Return Perkins financial control to OPI
6. Expand choice for local schools
7. Flexible teacher retirement and reemployment
8. Career coaches

Elections

1. Move school elections to the primary election date

Montana's 68th Legislative Session Leadership

Congratulations to our new Montana Senate Leadership!!!

Congratulations to our new

Montana House of Representatives Leadership!!!

Legislative Standing Committees

Standing committees (also referred to as Session Committees) are established each session in the rules adopted for each house of the Legislature. Standing committees meet regularly to hear bills on assigned subject matter.

A standing committee plays a key role in the legislative process in the following ways:

• serving as the primary forum for face-to-face participation by citizens in the legislative process;
• using the collective expertise of its members to review, analyze, and amend proposed legislation regarding subjects within the committee's purview;
• recommending the passage or disapproval of bills; and
• providing an opportunity for citizens to observe the workings of a representative democracy.

2023 Senate Standing Committees        2023 House Standing Committees

OPI Presentation on a School District General Fund

The OPI has created a presentation for interested legislator and interested persons as a general overview of the calculations associated with a school district’s general fund and the revenues used to support it.  Click here to watch the Presentation. The following is a listing of timestamps for interested viewers.        Minute Topic Items 0:00 – 03:56 Introduction, A Basic System of Free Quality Public Education 3:57 – 11:30 Available School District Funds  11:31 – 38:05 Budget Limitations, Components, ANB, Annual Inflation Related Adjustments 38:06 – 50:28 School District General Fund Voting Limits 50:29 – 55:57 School District General Fund Revenues   55:58 – 1:09:00 Guarantee Tax Base Aid, Summary

For more information contact Paul Taylor, Budget Analyst, ptaylor2@mt.gov (406)444-1257

Land Board

Superintendent Arntzen accepts the 46.3 Million Common Schools check from DNRC Director Amanda Kaster. The check features a picture of the Plains Remote Cabin Site in Sanders County by Seth Goodwin.

Superintendent Arntzen Accepts $46.3 Million From Trust Land Revenue for

Common Schools Fund

An Additional $7.4 Million was Accepted for the School Facility and Technology Fund

HELENA - As one of five members of the Montana Land Board, State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen accepted $53.7 million on behalf of public schools from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) at today’s Land Board meeting. Two separate checks were presented, $46.3 million from the Common Schools Fund for public schools and $7.4 million from the School Facility and Technology Fund.

“Our precious state trust lands are working for our most precious treasures – our students,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The money earned from our trust lands directly benefits all Montana’s public school students while easing the burden on Montana taxpayers. I am thankful to the DNRC’s Trust Lands Management and my fellow Land Board members for continuing to put our Montana students first!”

This year’s $46.3 million equates to about $311 per student in our public schools. There was an increase in mineral and coal dollars that contributed to a large portion of these funds. Agriculture leases, timber sales, wheat, barley, and hay, and grazing revenues also contribute to the Common School Fund. The OPI also received $7.4 million associated with a riverbed rent settlement. During the upcoming biennium, these funds will be used to enhance the Debt Service Assistance program described in section § 20-9-367, MCA.

"I am incredibly proud of the work Trust Lands Management staff does on behalf of Montanans,” said Amanda Kaster, DNRC Director. “Their innovation and dedication to sustainably generating revenue in perpetuity from state-managed trust lands is demonstrated through the reliable funding we generate on an annual basis.”

During Superintendent Arntzen’s time in office, the following distributions have been made available for the benefit of Montana’s public schools:

• 2017:  $43.1 million
• 2018:  $41.9 million
• 2019:  $45.9 million
• 2020:  $41.1 million
• 2021: $47.7 million
• 2022: $46.3 million

OPI Updates

Jenna McKinney OPI Family Engagement Coordinator

Our Family Engagement Coordinator visited Eagle Cliffs Elementary School in Billings as part of their Educator for a day program. As our parents are our first teachers, family engagement in education is so important. Thank you, Principal Julie Hornby, for hosting!

 For more information, please contact Jenna McKinney, Director of Family Engagement at Jenna.McKinney@mt.gov   or 406-438-3400.

Saving Montana Taxpayers Over $323,000

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen will save Montana taxpayers $323,488 over the next 3 years by consolidating OPI’s office buildings from four to two. After the COVID shut down the Superintendent implemented an agency-wide telework policy which decreased the need for office space. Currently, there are 82 OPI teleworkers, which account for 40% of all OPI employees.

“I led the charge in revolutionizing government employment by offering our employees flexibility and choice through telework,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Vacating the private lease is a responsible use of precious taxpayer dollars that allows more resources to flow to our Montana students and schools. My goal is to create a smaller and smarter government by allowing our employees to live in the communities they serve.”

Superintendent Arntzen Saves Montana Taxpayers Over $323,000 in

New Lease Agreement

November 2022 Press Releases

• Superintendent Arntzen Seeks Public Comment on Stronger Connections Grant for Safe and Healthy Students
• Dr. Karen Mapp to Present at the Teacher Leader and Executive Leadership Academies
• Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Announces the Second School Law Conference
• Superintendent Arntzen Seeks Public Comment for Special Education Alternative Assessment Waiver
• Superintendent Arntzen Saves Montana Taxpayers Over $323,000 in New Lease Agreement
• Native American Heritage Month – A Constitutional Promise
• Superintendent Arntzen Thanks Governor Gianforte for Including Education in State Budget
• Superintendent Arntzen Accepts $46.3 Million From Trust Land Revenue for Common Schools Fund An Additional $7.4 Million was Accepted for the School Facility and Technology Fund
• Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Hosts Informational Session on the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Competition Application
• Superintendent Arntzen Releases Preliminary Fall Enrollment Numbers

For more information, please contact Brian O’Leary, Communications Director at Brian.O’Leary@mt.gov  or 406-444-355.

Join us in Celebrating

Teacher of the Year Catherine Matthews

Superintendent Arntzen joined Governor Greg Gianforte, Commission of Higher Education Clayton Christian, and MSU President Waded Cruzado at the Brawl of the Wild to introduce Montana's 2023 Teacher of the Year Catherine Matthews to the entire state. Catherine is a preschool special education teacher at Hyalite Elementary School in Bozeman.

Montana Ready Team

The MT Ready team at the OPI met with various educators from the Great Falls Public School District to discuss career readiness. Great Falls Public Schools has thirteen students participating in work-based learning under the #MTReady initiative. Learn more here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MTOPI/bulletins/3387848 [content.govdelivery.com]

For more information, please contact Mary Heller, Montana Ready Coordinator at mary.heller@mt.gov or 406-431-0505 

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support-MTSS

The OPI MTSS High School Forum highlighted national experts Hank Bohanon and Dr. Tim Lewis as well as many local speakers who shared what Montana High Schools and Middle Schools are doing to support Montana educators and students through an MTSS framework. There was a great turnout with over 150 participants! Thank you to all who attended!

MTSS is a framework for school improvement that focuses on system level change across the classroom, school, and district to provide all students with the best opportunities to maximize achievement, both academically and behaviorally. MTSS focuses on providing high quality instruction and interventions matched to student need, monitoring progress frequently to make decisions about changes in instruction or goals, and continually checking fidelity of interventions. Data is used to allocate resources to improve student learning and support staff implementation of effective practices.

Helena High School’s Green Team

Helena High School's Green Group invited me to attend their meeting today. Listening to all of our students is important. Thank you to Nicholas, the club's Outreach Director and Ms. Van Alstyne for the invitation! Recently receiving, $7000 from the Smithsonian Earth Optimism Project.

Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School® [specialolympics.org] demonstrating commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 standards of excellence receives national banner recognition. This year, only 177 schools across the nation received National Banner School status.  In Montana, Great Falls Early Learning Center, Capitol High, and Carroll College received the recognition.

A Special Olympics Unified Champion School has an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff. A Unified Champion School receiving national banner recognition is one that has demonstrated commitment to inclusion by meeting 10 national standards of excellence. These standards were developed by a national panel of leaders from Special Olympics and the education community.

The primary activities within these standards include: Special Olympics Unified Sports® [specialolympics.org] (where students with and without disabilities train and compete as teammates), Inclusive Youth Leadership and Whole-School Engagement. 

If your school would like to become a Unified Champion School contact Jeannette Gray, Unified Champion Schools Senior Director, Special Olympics Montana. jgray@somt.org (406) 396-808

State Superintendent’s Message

As we enter into this legislative session, we are so THANKFUL!!!

Please click here to view the Superintendent’s message of thankfulness!

Innovations for Montana Students

1. MAST Pilot Program

2. Chapter 55-Rule Changes

3. Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Funds

4. Math Content Standards Review

5. Public Comment on Special Education Alternative Assessment Waiver

6. Preliminary Fall 2022 Student Enrollment Count for the Average Number Belonging

1. Montana Alternative Student Testing (MAST) Pilot Program

The first test window for the MAST Pilot project was completed Friday, November 18. Over 6,500 testlets were completed across 37 districts in Montana. Testlets were completed in both Math and ELA subject areas and participating districts will receive score reports on December 2nd.   On December 14, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM the OPI will be holding a virtual feedback session on the first round of test administration. All participating staff members are invited to attend and fill out the survey below. No registration is required to attend. The link to join is here and will be on the MAST website. Please share feedback using the following link in advance of the feedback session: ANONYMOUS SURVEY. The next testing window is January 17-30, 2023. For more information please contact Sam Walsh, MAST Project Manager, at Samantha.Walsh@mt.gov.

2. Chapter 55 – School Accreditation Rule Changes

The Board of Public Education (BPE) meeting on November 18, 2022 included actions and responses to public comment and resulted in the board supporting nearly 30 of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee’s consensus recommendations. Some of the recommendations that the BPE accepted are: New Family and Community Engagement  Graduate Profile Integrated action plan Student performance standards definition now include the term “proficiency” Variance to Standards now has Charter Schools as a separate rule

In January BPE will continue reviewing public comment on the proposed changes. The rules are scheduled to be adopted during the March 2023 BPE meeting. 

For more information please contact Dr. Julie Murgel at julie.murgel@mt.gov or (406) 444-3172.

3. Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Funds – ESSER

The Final Expenditure Report (FER) for ESSER I was due on October 25, 2022. Please note that if a district's ESSER I FER has not been approved then that district will not be able to draw down dollars from ESSER II and ESSER III. On November 7, 2022, Districts were sent a monthly overview of ESSER allocations. All district allocation letters can be found here. Statewide ESSER Allocation through December 1, 2022:

Please remember that ESSER II dollars must be allocated by September 30, 2023, and ESSER III dollars must be allocated by September 30, 2024.

For more information, please contact Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov.

4. Math Content Standards Review

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, with approval from the Montana Board of Public Education, has opened the Montana Mathematics Standards for review. We are excited about this opportunity and we would like for the people of Montana to do this with us. Whether you are an educator, parent/guardian, student, business and industry employee, or a member of the greater Montana community, your perspectives are important to the integrity of this process. Academic content standards provide a roadmap for what students should know and be able to do. Local school districts can then use these standards to guide the development of their local curricula, along with the professional learning of their educators. We want your voices to be heard as we strive to serve our Montana students and educators with the best-possible mathematics standards to guide instruction and prepare our students well for their lives beyond the classroom. If you are interested in being involved in this important process, please fill out the Montana Math Standards Review Interest Survey For updated information on the Math Standards Review, please visit the K-12 Content Standards webpage. If you have questions, please contact Sonja Whitford at sonja.whitford @mt.gov

5. Public Comment on Special Education Alternative Assessment Waiver

The Montana OPI is preparing to submit the Initial 1% waiver request per the OSEP memo sent to states on September 20, 2022. The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has adopted alternate academic achievement standards for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Montana OPI does measure the achievement of those standards with an alternate assessment aligned with alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS). Federal regulation 34 C.F.R. 200.6(c)(2) requires that, for each subject for which assessments are administered, the total number of students assessed in that subject using an alternate assessment with alternate academic achievement standards may not exceed 1% of the total number of students in the State who are assessed in that subject. The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) caps the percentage of students who can take the alternate assessment at 1% of the total students tested. The ESSA also allows states that may exceed the 1% cap to apply for a one-year waiver. Montana has not requested the waiver previously. However, Montana Office of Public Instruction (MT OPI) believes the waiver may be necessary for the 2022-2023 school year. Therefore, the Montana OPI is seeking public comment on the 1% OPI waiver. Please note that responses will be consider formal public comment. The Montana OPI has scheduled a virtual webinar that will be open for public comment at two different times to seek public input. Public comment may also be submitted to the following email at OPI: OPIMSAAWaiver@mt.gov. Below is a Timeline outlining the process with stakeholder involvement with public comment opportunities as underlined: November 7, 2022: Initiate public comment, by sending email to stakeholders and posting information on the OPI webpage with links to the Montana Office of Public Instruction 1% Waiver Request. November 9, 2022: Discussion with Statewide SPED Director’s 2:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom November 15, 2022: Education Advocates Meeting – 9:30am – 10:30am via Zoom November 17, 2022: Webinar 1 for public input, 4:00pm-5:00pm via Zoom November 21, 2022: Discussion with Special Education Advisory Panel via Zoom November 22, 2022: Webinar 2 for public input, 4:00pm to 5:00pm via Zoom December 7, 2022: Public comment deadline 4:00pm December 13, 2022: Final Draft prepared and submitted to the DOE For more information please contact JP Williams, State Special Education Director, at jp.williams@mt.gov or (406) 444-4426.

6. Preliminary Fall 2022 Student Enrollment Count for the Average Number Belonging

The initial collection of Fall student enrollment contributes to the calculation of Average Number Belonging (ANB) directed through §20-9-311, MCA. ANB is used to calculate funding for schools for the following fiscal year, so the Fall 2022 ANB count will be used for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. The following chart shows the Fall student enrollment count for ANB from FY2015-FY2023:

The preliminary Fall 2022 count shows 149,717 students enrolled in Montana public schools. School districts have until December 31 to change or certify their data.

Preliminary enrollment data for nonpublic schools is also available:

**This data is considered preliminary and may change slightly over the next few weeks as school districts have until December 31^st to change or certify their data

For more information please contact Nicole Thuotte, AIM Manager, at nthuotte@mt.gov or (406) 444-2080

Questions? Contact: 

Tara Boulanger, Legislative Liaison, (406) 444-2082

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.