Superintendent Arntzen Announces New K-12 Data Trask Force Members

• Brian O'Leary
• July 10 2023

HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen welcomes nine new members to the K-12 Data Task Force. The K-12 Data Task Force was created by the 2013 Montana Legislature through the adoption of 20-7-104, MCA and 20-7-105, MCA.  The 29 member K-12 Data Task Force includes:

• The presiding officer and vice presiding officer of the senate and house standing committees on education and the presiding officer and vice presiding officer of the joint subcommittee for education
• three elected school board trustees consisting of one each from a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district
• three school administrators consisting of one each employed by a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district
• three teachers consisting of one each employed by a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district
• three technology staff consisting of one each employed by a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district
• six parents, consisting of one parent of an elementary (K-8) pupil currently enrolled in each of a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district and one parent of a high school (9-12) pupil currently enrolled in each of a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district
• three school district clerks, consisting of one each employed by a class 1, class 2, and class 3 school district

The purpose of the K-12 Data Task Force is to advise and provide guidance to the Office of Public Instruction on the statewide K-12 data modernization.

“This task force supports student learning while increasing data transparency through strong data privacy and security,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The data modernization process has led to a new innovative teacher licensing system, TeachMontana, and will expand into a new school accreditation system. We are all Montana proud of the work the data task force will continue to complete.”

The new members joining the current members of the task force are:

• Sheila Chouinard, Class 2 School Administrator, Independent Elementary School
• Brian Rayborn, Class 3 School Administrator, Lima School District
• Katie McCrea, Class 3 Teacher, Pryor Public Schools
• Ginger Martello, Class 2 School District Clerk, Ennis School District
• Breezy Stipe, Class 3 School District Clerk, Dixon School District
• Tanya Bradley, Class 2 High School Parent, Colstrip High School
• David Dickey, Class 2 School Board Trustee, Monforton School District
• Nikki Edmundson, Class 3 High School Parent, Harrison High School
• Mallory Walser, Class 3 Elementary Parent, Harrison School

The next meeting of the K-12 Data Task Force will be on July 11, 2023 at 10:00 AM via Zoom. The agenda can be found here.