Superintendents Weekly Message

Dear Colleagues,

Below are updates on Title VI and the STARS Act:

Title VI

We are requesting that each district recertify Title VI compliance by completing the form provided by the U.S. Department of Education by April 24^th. Please return the signed form to McKenna Gregg. This is out of an abundance of caution given that we will not receive additional communication from the Department about whether or not each district will be required to recertify until after the April 24^th deadline.

In last week’s message we sent out updated certification requirements from the Department under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act as well as the subsequent agreement between the Department and parties involved in the lawsuit. Per the agreement, the Department is not enforcing the certifications until after April 24^th. As a reminder, the OPI certified compliance on behalf of the state last week and local districts certified compliance last summer through E-Grants. 

Because districts have already certified compliance with Title VI through E-Grants this should not require a special school board meeting by local districts. This message is being sent to district superintendents, county superintendents and clerks. If an LEA does not have a district superintendent, the county superintendent or clerk can sign it on behalf of the LEAs that they oversee. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

STARS Act

HB 252, the STARS Act, passed 2^nd reading in the Senate yesterday with a strong 40-10 vote and now goes to Senate Finance & Claims. The OPI and education partners are doing everything possible to get the bill moving to the Governor’s desk quickly. You can fill out the form that was circulated this week by your membership organizations for your local records, but the OPI will have a certification through MAEFAIRS. As HB 252’s progresses, the OPI will keep you updated and be prepared to work quickly with districts to ensure access to this critical funding source for your schools. Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Susie Hedalen

Superintendent of Public Instruction

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.