State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Puts Montana Students First in Welcome Message to Secretary Cardona of the U.S. Department of Education
March 1, 2021
HELENA— Superintendent Arntzen congratulates Miguel Cardona after the U.S. Senate confirmed him today as the new U.S. Department of Education Secretary. 
Secretary Cardona who previously held the appointment of Connecticut’s Commissioner of Education, began his education career in the classroom teaching fourth graders. He shares the same experience as Montana’s elected State Superintendent of Instruction, Elsie Arntzen, who taught fifth graders for 23 years in a Billings, Montana classroom. Working positively with Montana’s Congressional delegation, Superintendent Arntzen is focusing on its work with the U.S. Department of Education on aligning education goals that put Montana students first.
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen: “I am optimistic that Secretary Cardona and I have aligning goals for putting our students first. Montana’s communities are unique, and I call on the Secretary to support local control efforts. I invite Secretary Cardona on a tour of Montana’s schools for an opportunity to experience and understand the challenges and opportunities that frontier schools face. Montana will continue to have a strong voice at the federal level on education policy.”
Superintendent Arntzen has been a strong advocate for local control and flexibility in education. Superintendent Arntzen has twice applied for federal assessment waivers for Montana’s schools during the coronavirus, providing schools flexibility to be responsive and prepared. Moving forward Superintendent Arntzen remains strong in her drive for initiating new and innovative pathways of flexibility furthering success for all Montana students.
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Contact:
Dr. Greg Dern, Communications Director, 406-444-3449