Governor Gianforte Highlights New Laws To Support Teachers, Empower Students

Recognizes veterans in Hill, Liberty, and Toole counties

• July 20 2023

SHELBY, Mont. – Continuing his 56 County Tour last night, Governor Greg Gianforte highlighted two priority education bills to support starting teachers and empower students, both sponsored by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad.

“Our focus in education has been and always will be supporting teachers, empowering parents, and delivering the best education possible for our kids,” Gov. Gianforte said. “By bringing innovation to education and raising teacher pay, we’re transforming how we deliver traditional K-12 education and helping our students reach their full, outstanding potential.”

Gov. Gianforte greeting Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, at a bill signing ceremony in Shelby

Proposed by the governor in his Budget for Montana Families, House Bill 588 increases funding by 40 percent for the governor’s TEACH Act to increase starting teacher pay. In its first year, the TEACH Act helped nearly 500 new teachers begin their careers in Montana.

The second bill, House Bill 749, modernizes education beyond traditional geographic barriers by strengthening the Montana Digital Academy. The Montana Digital Academy offers students virtual curriculum that might not be available in their physical school that they can access anytime and anywhere.

While in Shelby, the governor also presented the 2022 Montana Governor’s Veteran Commendation to U.S. Army veteran and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Xavier Reyes. Earlier in the day, the governor recognized two additional recipients of the award: U.S. Army veteran Neal Eveland in Chester, and U.S. Army veteran Chauncey Parker in Box Elder.

“We owe so much to our veterans – it’s a privilege to recognize them and say thank you,” Gov. Gianforte said.

Gov. Gianforte and First Lady Susan Gianforte recognizing U.S. Army veteran Xavier Reyes in Shelby

The governor’s 56 County Tour continues today in Glacier, Pondera, and Teton counties.

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