June 2026
As we head into a new month, here's a look back at key news and information from May and important items to know in June.
 May was a busy and productive month across Montana as we celebrated student accomplishments, supported our school communities, and continued important policy conversations about the future of education in our state.
One highlight of the month was presenting Kourtney Douma with a plaque recognizing her achievement as the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year!
I had the pleasure to attend both the 4 Rivers MASS and SE MASS meetings this month, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with fellow superintendents and education leaders. These meetings provided valuable discussions, shared perspectives, and continued collaboration focused on supporting students, educators, and local communities.
Throughout the month, OPI staff and I participated in the Board of Public Education (BPE) meeting in Great Falls and the Board of Regents meeting in Havre, where discussions centered on reducing unnecessary red tape, improving efficiency for school districts, and ensuring decisions remained focused on student success. I appreciated the commitment and collaboration demonstrated by education leaders and stakeholders as we worked together to strengthen opportunities for Montana students and schools.
OPI staff were also in northwest Montana this month with our colleagues from PowerSchool assisting districts with their data modernization efforts. OPI and PowerSchool continue to discuss building up our resources to assist with this statewide effort to improve our educational data systems.
May also included several opportunities to connect with schools and communities across the region. Deputy Superintendent Barringer and I attended the East Helena School Board trustee swearing-in ceremony, recognizing the leadership and service of newly elected trustees. I also toured Miles Community College alongside President Slinger and learned more about the college’s continued growth, educational programs, and the important role our colleges play in workforce development, higher education, and high school partnerships in eastern Montana.
In addition, I met with eastern Montana state representatives to discuss ongoing priorities, partnerships, and opportunities impacting education and local communities. These conversations reinforced the importance of collaboration and communication as we continue working together on behalf of students and families throughout the state.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, we recognized the incredible dedication of Montana teachers, school leaders, and support staff whose hard work makes our schools successful every day. Their commitment continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of students across Montana.
As the school year comes to a close, communities across the state celebrated graduation season and the accomplishments of Montana students. I had the honor of traveling to Ekalaka to deliver a graduation speech recognizing this important milestone and celebrating the hard work and dedication of students, families, and educators.
We hope everyone has the opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends this summer. OPI staff remained available throughout the summer to continue supporting schools and communities as we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year.
As always, if you need anything or have questions, please feel free to reach out to me or my staff.
Best regards,
Superintendent Hedalen
Missing Children Database
https://app.doj.mt.gov/apps/missingPersonDatabase/search/
As we head into the summer, our partnerships with law enforcement to keep children safe are critical.
 Superintendent Hedalen Partners with Board of Public Education and Montana University System to Remove Licensure Barriers and Expand Dual Credit Access
GREAT FALLS- Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen requested the Board of Public Education move forward with the process to eliminate the Class 8 Dual Credit Postsecondary Faculty License this week in order to expand dual credit access for Montana high school students. The Board supported the proposal unanimously at their meeting in Great Falls today to begin rulemaking to eliminate the license, making it easier for high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time.
The Board also supported Superintendent Hedalen’s recommendation to not penalize school districts through accreditation for utilizing college faculty without a Class 8 license while the rulemaking process is ongoing. The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education also spoke in favor of eliminating Class 8 licenses, removing unnecessary barriers for qualified college instructors teaching Montana students preparing for college enrollment.
“Today’s actions will immediately result in expanded access to dual credit courses for Montana high school students,” Superintendent Hedalen said Friday. “Allowing college instructors to teach dual credit courses without jumping through additional licensure red tape is common sense. Removing this unnecessary hurdle means more opportunities for Montana students to earn college credit early, explore career pathways, and get ahead while still in high school no matter their path. These courses can range from upper-level math to career and technical education courses such as college level welding. I want to thank the Board of Public Education and Commissioner of Higher Education for their support in eliminating licensure barriers to dual credit for Montana high school students.”
“It’s certainly exciting that the number of high school students taking classes for college credit continues to grow at an increasing rate. Representatives of the BPE, OCHE, and OPI have been in conversation for a long time now discussing how to comply with state law while simultaneously working to find more flexibility to support teachers and students. Today’s vote is a vital first step toward putting this change into effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.” said Tim Tharp, Chair of the Board of Public Education.
Class 8 licenses were created in 2008 and are required to be obtained by college professors and instructors in order for a student to receive high school credit for courses taken through an institution of higher education. Many faculty within the Montana University System have expressed interest in teaching dual credit courses but must first spend additional time and resources to obtain a K-12 teaching license.
“Dual credit is growing rapidly across Montana, saving families an estimated $11 million in college tuition last year alone,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian. “Today’s action removes an unnecessary barrier and will help expand access to high-quality dual credit opportunities for even more Montana students.”
Moving forward, colleges will simply notify the OPI annually of their college instructors who are teaching dual credit, which courses are being taught, and in which high schools. These changes align with the Future Ready program created by the Legislature and Superintendent Hedalen’s initiatives to provide opportunities for every student in Montana to be college, career and life ready. These licensure reform efforts also remove barriers for high quality instructors to provide rigorous learning opportunities for Montana’s students and are responsive to parents and communities that want their students to be highly prepared for life after high school.
Lawbooks
If you would like to receive an updated school lawbook, please complete this form and return it according to the instructions on the form. If you have questions please contact: Jewel Sullivan.
2025 School Law Book Order Form
Summer Institute
Registration is now open for the OPI Summer Institute June 15-18, 2026 at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Registration for this premiere educational event is only $69 which includes four full days of professional learning from Montana’s educational leaders and national experts.
This year’s event features keynotes from Dr. Jason Neiffer on Artificial Intelligence on Monday, June 15. Tuesday, June 16 will feature the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Susie Hedalen and Education Commission of the States President José Muñoz. On Wednesday, Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan will share on how to grow Well-Being in Teachers and in Schools.
OPI SI 2026 features sessions and tracks specific to administrators, special education, early childhood, K-12 sessions by grade band: elementary/middle school/high school, mental health and school safety, ELA and mathematics instructional strategies, assessment, utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), Indian Education for All, Career Technical Education across K-12 settings, and more. Tuesday afternoon features a Best Practices Expo with many free resources from statewide partners and educational serving non-profit organizations.
More information on OPI SI 2026 include the full schedule and registration options is available at https://opi.mt.gov/Summer-Institute.
For more information, please contact Tammy Lysons, tamara.lysons@mt.gov or 406-431-2309.
AED
Montana AED Reimbursement Program
In 2025, the Montana Legislature passed HB 869, (part of Title 10, Chapter 7, part 13, MCA) which appropriated a grant fund for school districts for reimbursement of the purchase and ongoing maintenance of automatic external defibrillators (AED).
The grant program shall provide a reimbursement of $1 for every $1 paid by a school district up to a maximum state contribution of $700 per AED. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. AED maintenance and accessories can also be reimbursed.
The third application period opened April 15th and closes June 15th.
Reimbursement requests will be reviewed monthly after the 15th of each month, with reimbursement sent to districts by the 15th of the following month. School districts will be notified of eligible or non-eligible reimbursement submissions.
Questions?
Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Chief Program Officer, christy.mock-stutz@mt.gov
Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Director, katie.bloodgood@mt.gov
Application: https://montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tRlBi8bjsV3t7E
OPI Openings
 Achievement in Montana (AIM)
Assessment
Career, Technical and Adult Education
Coordinated School Health
Gifted and Talented
Indian Education for All
Montana Autism Education Project
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)
School Finance
School Nutrition
Special Education
Standards, Instruction & Professional Learning
Title & Federal Programs
Traffic Education
Tribal Relations & Resiliency
 As a reminder the OPI has a legislative packet which can be found here: Summary of Legislation Related to K-12 Education
 HIRING MENTORS for the MentorMT Program!
MentorMT offers grade- and subject-aligned mentoring for new or underprepared rural teachers, helping them build effective pedagogy and content knowledge in their grade level and discipline. Over 100 K-12 teachers will be matched with mentors next year.
In Summer 2026 we will train over 70 experienced Montana educators as mentors.
You could be one of them – apply today!
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, June 5, 2026
Learn more about MentorMT at www.montana.edu/crre/mentormt [montana.edu]
MentorMT Brochure
Bring an AgriTech Lab to Your Classroom!
In partnership with Montana OPI and the Montana Department of Agriculture, Farm-Ed is preparing to launch the inaugural Montana pilot in middle and high school science and agriculture classrooms as early as Fall of 2026.
Farm-Ed [farm-ed.com] places a controlled-environment grow chamber, a real-time data dashboard, and a standards-aligned weekly curriculum directly into your classroom. Montana pilot classrooms will grow cycles customized to crops and commodities relevant to Montana producers. Students design experiments, interpret live environmental and growth data, and build inquiry and analysis skills that transfer well beyond the chamber, from row crop research and pulse crop production to livestock data interpretation and precision ag. Student work supports FFA Agriscience Fair entries, the Montana Science Fair, Invention Convention projects, SAE programs, and other inquiry-based competitions. Watch real students talk about Farm-Ed in their classroom here [youtu.be]!
Pilot classrooms receive:
- A Farm-Ed Grow Chamber and all growing supplies
- Weekly lessons aligned to Montana science and Ag/CTE standards
- Teacher and student Data Dashboard access, with tutorials
- Customized professional development and ongoing program support
- Curriculum and certification support that builds skills aligned with workforce-relevant pathways
Want to join us? Please email Eric Tilleman at eric.tilleman@mt.gov to reserve your spot! Learn more: farm-ed.com [farm-ed.com] Questions? Contact Anne at Anne@Farm-Ed.com
 McKenna Gregg, Communications Director
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