Superintendent Arntzen Releases Statement on Preliminary Injunction Decision for Public Charter Schools

• Brian O'Leary
• April 18 2024

HELENA – “Unaccountable associations and woke organizations will continue to attack me for being a conservative and putting students, parents, and families first. The district court’s recent order clarifies that I am following the laws of our great state and NOT ignoring my constitutional duty to our students and schools. I have been a champion of school choice for children and parents during my time in office. I look forward to continuing to work with our school districts to open the Public Charter Schools in accordance with the law and the court’s order.” – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen

Background:

• The Office of Public Instruction (OPI) created guidance on the opening of Public Charter Schools and updated the “Request to Open a New School Form” to be used during the opening process. OPI held multiple discussions and webinars with schools and community members since the summer of 2023 about Public Charter Schools.
• In March, Billings Public Schools became the first of 11 districts to complete the Public Charter School opening process.
• On March 28, 2024, the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC) filed a lawsuit in Lewis and Clark County District Court against the Superintendent and OPI about the implementation of Public Charter School laws.
• On April 8, 2024, a hearing was held on a motion for a preliminary injunction against OPI’s Public Charter School implementation.
• On April 17, 2024, The court denied, in part, MQEC’s motion for an injunction.
• On April 18, 2024, OPI is completing the opening of two Public Charter Schools in Missoula and reached out to the other school districts with Public Charter School contracts and the Board of Public Education to move the school opening process forward.

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