FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2024
Superintendent Arntzen Celebrates Outcome of Public Charter School Lawsuit
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen is celebrating the May 10, 2024, dismissal of the Public Charter School lawsuit. The dismissal states that the preliminary injunction from April 17, 2024, will remain in effect until he court terminates the injunction or the legislature clarifies the public charter school opening process during the legislative session.
“Unaccountable bureaucratic organizations caused delays for our students, parents, and schools,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Since this delay, my staff has worked to prioritize the school opening process for our public charter schools. I look forward to the legislature clarifying this process for added parental choice and freedom in education.”
On January 19, 2024, the Board of Public Education approved the proposals for 19 public charter schools in Montana. As of May 13, 2024, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has opened 15 of the 18 schools enrolling students for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Billings Early College
- Billings Multilingual Academy
- Billings Opportunity School
- Corvallis Distance Learning Center
- Corvallis Pathways Learning Center
- Frenchtown Broc Fast Track Public Charter
- CORE School at Morningside Elementary in Great Falls
- Missoula Connect Academy
- Missoula Teach Academy
- Hamilton Bitterroot Polytech
- Montessori Charter in Helena
- Mount Ascension Learning Academy in Helena
- Project for Alternative Learning in Helena
- Flathead PACE Academy Charter
- Rising Wolf Charter in Kalispell
The OPI is working with one school to correct some of the information that was submitted and is waiting on applications from two schools. One of the approved public charter schools will not open until the fall of 2025.
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Questions? Contact:
Brian O'Leary, Communications Director
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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