State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Opens Negotiated Rule Making for School Accreditation Standards
HELENA – Superintendent Elsie Arntzen has opened a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee on School Quality for revisions to Chapter 55 Montana school accreditation standards, which guide student learning success. School accreditation standards include rules on curriculum, class sizes, teacher and staff qualifications, Indian Education for All, and student learning assessment to ensure all students receive a quality education.
The School Quality Task Force, with 11 members, began meeting in January with the purpose of investigating and researching the Chapter 55 school accreditation standards. This task force will continue to meet through April giving recommendations to the 19 members of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee. Membership of these two committees reflects Montana’s uniqueness of tribal, rural, urban, teachers, school counselors, school and university leaders, and parents.
The negotiated rulemaking process is required by § 20-7-101, MCA, when changes to school accreditation rules occur. The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee’s recommended changes to the school standards of accreditation will be presented to the Board of Public Education (BPE) in July 2022. The cost associated with the changes, an economic impact statement, will be sent in September 2022 to the Education Interim Committee and then to the 2023 legislative session.
This process is transparent and includes an opportunity for public comment during every session. The Superintendent encourages members of the public to let their voices be heard during the public comment sessions. To assist the public, the Superintendent has made available the meeting times, agendas, and online links. In addition to OPI’s negotiated rulemaking meetings, the Superintendent also encourages Montanans to comment on the rules after the Board of Public Education files for formal rulemaking.
“This process will define Montana’s local control through the lens of parents, educators, and community members,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Innovative forward-looking benchmarks for learning will guarantee academic success now and into the future for Montana students. Engaging in this transparent process of classroom learning at the local level will guarantee accountability of our precious tax dollars in our public education system.”
The current members of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee are:
- Adrea Lawrence - the University of Montana, Dean of College of Education
- Chris Olszewski - Billings Public Schools, Curriculum Director
- Christina Wekkin - Alberton Public Schools, Teacher
- Corey Barron - Lodge Grass Schools, Principal, Tribal Representative
- Craig Mueller - Havre Public Schools, District Superintendent
- Curtis Smeby - Havre Public Schools, Trustee
- Kelly Dey - Sidney Public Schools, Trustee
- Kitty Logan - Swan Valley School, Trustee
- Krystal Zentner - Bridger MT, Parent
- Lisa Petersen - Westby K-12 Schools, Teacher
- Michele Paine - Flathead High School, Principal
- Renee Schoening - MT School Counselor Association, Executive Director
- Rhonda Long - Fergus County, County Superintendent
- Ruth Uecker - Great Falls Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent K-6
- Stephen Schreibeis - Glendive Public Schools, District Superintendent
- Sue Corrigan - Montana School Board Association, Kalispell Municipal Director
- Tara Hubing - Circle Schools K-12, Teacher
- McCall Flynn - Board of Public Education, Executive Director - Negotiated Rule Making Committee Ex-Officio Member
The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee meets several times between March 17 and June 17, 2022. Please join in participating in this process. For those wishing to give virtual or written public comment, please contact Tristen Loveridge at tristen.loveridge@mt.gov. To give virtual public comment, request a zoom link for the meeting.
For more information, please contact Dr. Julie Murgel, Chief Operating Officer, at julie.murgel@mt.govor
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