News Release
School Renewal Commission Meets
7/7/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
components relating to strengthening education in Montana. The Commission
adopted working group reports on school district consolidation and school
revenue. Prior to the full commission meeting, the Core Group of the
Commission met with attorneys on both sides of the pending school funding
litigation.
"The Commission is realizing its goals," Lt. Governor Ohs said. "Our work
today on school revenue and district consolidation reflects how close we
are to preparing recommendations for the legislature. Also, our work on
defining a quality education and regionalizing school services holds very exciting possibilities for schools in Montana."
The first set of draft recommendations accepted by the Commission today
include possible changes to Montana's methods of funding public education.
The Commission heard proposals on equalizing school revenue on a statewide
basis, exploring new revenue for funding public schools, and working to
fund school district base budgets.
Other draft reforms discussed include changes to the laws relating to the
process for how Montana's school districts can consolidate. The subgroup
working on the barriers to school district consolidation recommended
changes to the law regarding combining elementary and high school districts, appointment and responsibilities of a new school board of trustees for a consolidated district, and assumption of bonded indebtedness for a new district.
"We also had a useful discussion about the recent district court decision
on the adequacy of school funding in Montana," stated Board of Public
Education Chair Dr. Kirk Miller, vice chair of the Commission. "As the decision is analyzed, the Commission must play a role how the state reacts. The meeting between the core leadership group of the Commission and attorneys involved in the school funding litigation was informational and offered a valuable perspective as we complete our work."
The decision to authorize the informational meeting stemmed from discussion
reacting to the recent district court decision finding the state's school
funding mechanism does not meet constitutional requirements for a quality
education. The Commission wanted to learn more about the details of the
decision and how it impacts the work of the Commission.
As the Commission worked on a definition of quality education, they
discussed several items related to the recruitment and retention of high
quality educators. Those possible initiatives are health insurance for
school district employees, student loan repayment program for teachers, and
professional development for educators. Also discussed were possible
improvements for school transportation and school facilities. The next
meeting of the Commission will begin process for a final draft definition
of quality education.
The report of the regionalization included the selection of peer states
that have implemented regional education service areas. Oregon, Arizona, and Nebraska will be working with the Commission to identify best practices for organizing an effective and efficient means to create regional
administrative and curriculum agencies.
The Montana K-12 Public School Renewal Commission is a 28-member panel
authorized by HB 736 during the 58th Session of the Montana Legislature.
The commission is to examine several areas of public school funding,
governance, and revenue and make recommendations to the Interim Education and Local Government legislative committee by September 15.
The Commission meets again June 28, 2004
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Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
