State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Congratulates Dr. Tim Tharp on His Appointment to the Montana Board of Public Education
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen congratulates Dr. Tim Tharp on his appointment to the Montana Board of Education (BPE). On Thursday, March 31, 2022, Governor Greg Gianforte announced Dr. Tharp’s appointment. Dr. Tharp has served on the Savage School Board in Richland County, as pastor of First Lutheran Church in Savage, as superintendent and principal of many rural schools in Montana, and as Montana’s Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The BPE was created in the 1972 Montana Constitution and has general supervision over Montana’s K-12 schools. Other duties required of the Board include:
- adopt standards of accreditation for Montana schools
- effect a system of teacher certification, including the accreditation of the teacher and administrator training programs
- consider the suspension or revocation of teacher certificates
- adopt policies for the special education of handicapped and gifted and talented students
- act as the governing agency for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind
“Dr. Tharp’s educational experiences and knowledge will be a great addition to the Montana Board of Public Education,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “He will provide a reflection of the unique student and family needs of rural Montana. I look forward to working with Dr. Tharp and the Board to seek quality education while being accountable to our Montana taxpayers.”
“I’m honored that Governor Gianforte has selected me to serve in this important role,” said Dr. Tim Tharp. “Education in the 21st century is evolving at an ever-increasing rate, and especially after the COVID-related shutdowns, we must learn how to be more nimble, flexible, and creative in how we serve students. By embracing technological advances and putting aside the one-size-fits-all mentality, we have an opportunity to do some great things. The Board of Public Education needs to encourage our schools to be innovative while simultaneously maintaining high quality. I pray that my background as a teacher, administrator, former Deputy State Superintendent, and a current school board member will allow me a perspective to see all sides of the issues that we are facing.”
Dr. Tharp’s first BPE meeting will be on April 28. He is replacing Board member Mary Heller who resigned her position in March to take a new role as the Montana Ready Coordinator at the Office of Public Instruction.