FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4th, 2025
Education Priorities See Success in First Half of Legislative Session
We are at the transmittal point of Montana’s 69th legislative session, which means most bills have to be introduced and passed out of one chamber and to the next. It also means that we are officially halfway through the 90-day legislative session and few new ideas can be brought forward. This gives lawmakers, executive branch officials, and engaged members of the public the opportunity to focus in on the opportunities before us for the second half of the legislative session.
In education, I am proud to say that it was a successful first half of the session. Many good opportunities to improve educational outcomes, support students and teachers, and promote school safety are making their way through the legislative process.
Just last week, I worked with Representative Eric Tilleman to introduce the Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) final agency bill House Bill 745. This bill requires anyone who has unsupervised access to children on school property or at school events to have a background check. While many schools already require non-licensed support staff and volunteers to have background checks, there is no uniform state requirement. House Bill 745 will ensure that all Montana students have safe learning environments. Rep. Tilleman is also carrying House Bill 357 which is supported by the OPI to expand career and technical education funding to middle school.
Another school safety priority that is personal for me is upholding the safety and integrity of girls’ sports and spaces. That is why I was proud to work with Representative Kerri Seekins-Crowe to pass House Bill 300. This bill ensures that Montana’s female athletes are not forced to compete against biological males, nor have their access to programs or privacy compromised. House Bill 300 is already moving through the Senate and close to making its way to the Governor’s desk.
House Bill 252 otherwise known as the STARS Act is another important bill supporting teachers and increasing opportunities and outcomes for students. This bill is being sponsored by House Appropriations Chairman Llew Jones and will reflect one of the largest most targeted investments in Montana’s K-12 education system in recent history. The STARS Act increases teacher pay, sends more money directly to students and families for work-based learning or dual credit costs, incentivizes school funding based on student outcomes, and ensures that districts are implementing administrative efficiencies.
In addition to the STARS Act and other targeted schools support bills, House Bill 15 by Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Chairman David Bedey will provide an inflationary increase to school funding. These bills are also in a strong position moving into the second half of session.
Finally, the OPI’s budget proposals have received strong support from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. I have put forward a responsible budget for our agency that reflects my commitment to better customer service for schools and families. It is my focus to make the OPI as effective and efficient as possible for better education delivery and accountability for educational outcomes. I look forward to proactively supporting our schools, opening lines of communication, building relationships and furthering collaboration with education partners and other agencies.
As we move into the second half of the legislative session, I encourage all Montana students, parents, and teachers to stay engaged on the bills that impact your local communities and our state as a whole. I look forward to continuing to work for you each and every day to get these bills and more across the finish line. It is an honor to bring my voice from the field to the agency and advocate for high quality education in Montana as the Superintendent for the Office of Public Instruction.
Susie Hedalen is Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction
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Questions? Contact:
McKenna Gregg, 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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