Superintendent Arntzen’s Licensure Extension Request for Educators Approved by the Board of Public Education 

August 12, 2020

HELENA— Superintendent Arntzen’s licensure extension request for educators was unanimously approved by the Montana Board of Public Education (BPE) today. This extension gives educators an extra 30 days to submit their educator license applications and renewals due to COVID-19 disruptions.

“Montana’s teachers and school leaders have been preparing for schools to safely reopen this fall. It is the Office of Public Instruction’s job to support them in this work,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said Wednesday. “I thank the Board of Public Education for approving my request to give educators an extension to their licenses so that they can keep student safety their number one priority as school doors open.”

The BPE’s extension issued today gives educators until September 30, 2020 to submit new licensure applications or renewals. The OPI is requesting that further action be taken at the BPE’s September meeting to grant schools flexibility with regards to state accreditation rules.

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CONTACT:   Dylan Klapmeier

                       Director of Communications, Montana Office of Public Instruction

                       dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov

                       406-444-3559