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Dear Colleagues,
As a reminder, please make sure your school directory information is up-to-date. This is important to ensure quick and accurate communication on a variety of messages from OPI to districts.
Please join us in welcoming Jewel Sullivan as the newest member of my Executive Staff. Jewel will serve as our Executive Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator, and we are thrilled to have her on board.
Federal Funding Update:
We received word from the Department of Education today that GAN's for the Final Title funds will be released on starting on Monday July 28th.
"Beginning the week of July 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education will begin releasing funding for the current federal and education fiscal year for the following formula programs:
- Title I-C, ESEA: Migrant Student Education; •
- Title II-A, ESEA: Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants;
- Title III-A, ESEA: English Language Acquisition; and
- Title IV-A, ESEA: Student Support and Academic Enrichment State Grants. "
2025 Legislative Session K-12 Education Summary Book-Implementing the new laws and provide guidance to school districts
The 2025 Legislative Session resulted in significant developments for Montana’s education system, and the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is actively working to implement the new laws. This legislative summary book overviews all the legislation that affects K-12 education in Montana. Find the Summary Book HERE.
OPI School Technology Resource Program
This program is administered by the OPI and collects computer equipment from state and federal sources, and private donations to distribute at no cost to Montana's K-12 public schools. The equipment is stored in Clancy, MT and is operational, but all data (including operating systems) is removed for security purposes.
Equipment available may include desktops, laptops, tablets, chromebooks, monitors, and printers. We currently have many printers and monitors available.
Contact opiboneyard@mt.gov to find out more about what inventory is available or schedule a time to visit:
Please provide the following info in your email: name, school district, school and phone number.
AED
Montana AED Reimbursement Program
In 2025, the Montana Legislature passed HB 869, 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 in two grant periods. The first grant application period closes October 15th, and each school district can reimburse up to $700 in the first grant application period for an AED or AED maintenance. During the first grant application period each school district can reimburse up to $700, but school districts can apply for additional reimbursements in the second grant application period. Any remaining funds will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis in the second grant application period. The second application period opens January 15th and closes March 15th.
Guidance Document: https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/AED-First-Aid/Images/Montana%20AED%20Reimbursement%20Program.pdf?ver=2025-07-23-090409-647
Application: https://montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tRlBi8bjsV3t7E
Grant Window 1
- Open Date: July 18
- Close Date: October 15
- Restrictions: Each school district can reimburse up to $700.
Grant Window 2
- Open Date: January 15
- Close Date: March 15
- Restrictions First come first until funds are exhausted. * Up to $700 per AED
Questions?
Christy Mock-Stutz, Assistant Chief Program Officer, christy.mock-stutz@mt.gov
Katie Bloodgood, Legislative Director, katie.bloodgood@mt.gov
Schools can apply now using this link: https://montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tRlBi8bjsV3t7E [montanaopi.sjc1.qualtrics.com]
Math Implementation Webinars
Montana Math: Monthly Math Implementation Series
This free webinar series is designed to support school-based Montana educators through the adoption and implementation of the new standards, effective July 2026.
This series will offer practical guidance, job-embedded strategies, support for curriculum alignment efforts, and create a community of professionals engaged in a shared learning experience.
Webinars will occur at 4 PM MT the third Thursday of every month, August 2025 - April 2026.
Join us, starting August 21st, from 4-5 pm!
Register Now!
Big Sky Standards: Real-World Data
Data Science 4 Everyone is partnering with OPI to bring a free, monthly, professional learning series to Montana’s educators.
This series will address why data skills are woven into the new MT math standards, why they matter for students today, how they can drive engagement in the classroom, and so much more!
This series will occur at 4 PM MT the second Tuesday of every month from September 2025 - April 2026. The August webinar will take place on the third Tuesday of the month due to scheduling conflicts.
Join us, starting August 19th, from 4-5 pm!
Register Now!
Additional Information
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 Nutrition
Special Education
Transformational Learning & Advanced Opportunities
Outside Opportunities
National Board Certification Jump Start Coming Soon – Register now
National Board Certification allows teachers to demonstrate the highest level of accomplishment in their profession. It is a nationally accepted sign of quality and offers a nationwide standard for evaluating and encouraging quality teaching.
Becoming National Board Certified involves an extensive series of performance-based assessments that includes teaching portfolios, student work samples, videos, and analyses of the teacher's classroom teaching and student learning.
The Montana Professional Teaching Foundation helps candidates navigate the National Board Certification process.
Jump Start is a 3-day comprehensive training designed to provide National Board candidates with important information about the certification process. Jump Start participants will work with MFPE's team of NBCT Facilitators to review NBC components and assessment requirements. The training includes time for collaboration and gathering resources to get candidates off to great start. This training is open to ALL teachers and will be held August 6-8, 2025 in Helena.
For more information: https://www.mfpe.org/benefits-of-membership/professional-development/national-board-certification/ [mfpe.org]
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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