OPI Secures Teacher Licensing Approval at BOPE Meeting

• Anastasia Burton
• September 17 2021

HELENA – At the request of the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), the Board of Public Education (BOPE) yesterday gave its unanimous approval in three unique cases for Montana teachers at a licensing hearing at the Capitol.

“One way Montana is addressing the issue of retaining and recruiting educators is by supporting our teachers who request licensing in unique circumstances,” Superintendent Elsie Arntzen said. “Offering common-sense flexibilities as part of the licensing process benefits Montana’s school districts, teachers, and students by increasing innovation and reducing compliance burdens,” Arntzen added. 

OPI Educator Licensure Unit Director Crystal Andrews said, “At the OPI, we are working very hard on behalf of our schools and communities to get licensed teachers into their areas. Having the Board of Public Education recognize yesterday that all three applicants were highly qualified and deserving of a Montana license allows for three more districts to have another licensed, quality educator in their classrooms.”

The three educators approved for licensure are:

• Donald Johnson Sharp of Libby
• Donald Peoples of Butte
• Christina McGill of Huson

Don Peoples, Superintendent of Butte Central Catholic Schools, said, “I would like to thank the staff at OPI for their willingness to assist me in this licensing process. I am truly grateful to them for their advice, guidance, and hard work. I’m excited to be granted this license and for the opportunity to serve as the Superintendent of Butte Central Catholic Schools."

On a related note, this summer, the Board concurred with the OPI’s recommendations on the following items that will remove burdens from school districts and provide flexibility so they are focused on teaching and learning:

• Allowing the School District plan required by the U.S. Department of Education under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) III Fund dollars to be considered as the Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) for the 2021-2022 School Year;
• Granting a one-year extension for Montana provisional license holders and third-year internships; and
• Extending the School Year 2020-2021 Accreditation Status of all school districts through the 2021-2022 school year, and in essence providing a two-year accreditation cycle for districts.

For more information about teacher licensure in Montana, click here.

-END-