FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2025
Superintendent Hedalen Directs Montana School Districts to Be Compliant with State and Federal Laws
HELENA, Mont. — In response to ongoing media coverage and public concern regarding ideological activism in public schools, including in Montana, Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen sent a formal letter to all Montana school districts directing them to be in compliance with state and federal laws.
The letter reinforces expectations for administrators and school boards to uphold state and federal regulations as a condition of maintaining state accreditation and receiving public school funding.
“Parents entrust our schools to focus on reading, writing, and core subjects, not political and ideological indoctrination,” said Superintendent Hedalen. “We will not allow taxpayer-funded classrooms to become platforms for activist agendas while parents sit on the sidelines. I expect every school board, administrator, and teacher to follow the law, protect students, and preserve the integrity of our education system. Montana parents have had enough of politics in our classrooms- and so have I." Hedalen added. “We are drawing a firm line: teach academics, not activism.”
Superintendent Hedalen specifically highlighted House Bill 819 and House Bill 471. HB 819 strictly limits the display of flags and banners on government property, including public schools. Only officially recognized government flags are permitted. Personal, political, or activist flags are not allowed. HB 471 reinforces parental rights by requiring an explicit opt-in before a student may receive identity instruction. It is not enough to notify parents active, written permission is required.
Superintendent Hedalen was also a strong supporter of House Bill 557, introduced by Rep. Jodee Etchart in the 2025 session. The bill would have ended the state-mandated use of PIR (Pupil-Instruction-Related) days for teacher union meetings. In recent years, these meetings have seen dwindling attendance and growing ideological indoctrination instead of true teacher professional development. The Superintendent looks forward to working with the 2027 legislature to successfully get similar legislation successfully passed.
“Government-encouraged school closures for union activities are an outdated and unproductive use of taxpayer time and resources,” said Hedalen. “HB 557 got it right PIR days should be used to strengthen instruction, not to promote union politics. We fully intend to pursue this bill again in the next legislative session and to support true educator professional development for the benefit of students.”
The OPI supports a variety of professional development opportunities for educators across the state including OPI’s Summer Institute and locally-driven professional development programs. Superintendent Hedalen recently attended a Great Falls educator professional development day hosted in partnership with Malmstrom Air Force Base. The OPI is also migrating the Teacher Learning Hub to a newer platform providing better online, OPI approved professional development for educators.
The full letter to districts is available here.
For questions or further guidance, please contact the Office 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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