State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Saves Montana Taxpayers Over $323,000 in New Lease Agreement
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen will save Montana taxpayers $323,488 over the next 3 years by consolidating OPI’s office buildings from four to two. After the COVID shut down the Superintendent implemented an agency-wide telework policy which decreased the need for office space. Currently, there are 81 OPI teleworkers, which account for 40% of all OPI employees.
“I led the charge in revolutionizing government employment by offering our employees flexibility and choice through telework,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Vacating the private lease is a responsible use of precious taxpayer dollars that allows more resources to flow to our Montana students and schools. My goal is to create a smaller and smarter government by allowing our employees to live in the communities they serve.”
Between October 6 and 26, the OPI conducted a Fall Work Survey of staff working from home and staff working from the office. The results showed:
- 61% of respondents’ productivity has increased by teleworking
- 59% of respondents cite a better work/life balance by teleworking
- 76% of respondents feel informed and engaged with their unit’s activities and co-workers while teleworking
- 79% of respondents’ stress levels decreased by choosing to telework
In the fall of 2016, the previous Superintendent signed a 10-year private lease on the 1201 building. This private lease costs taxpayers $13,776 per month, which is a rate of $22.96 per square foot. The Office of Public Instruction leases two other government-owned properties at 1227 and 1300 11th Avenue at a rate of $10.14 per square foot.
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