Office of Public Instruction Announces the Selection of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Members for Amending Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) 10.55.606(3)-(9) Accreditation Process

April 4, 2019

HELENA—The Office of Public Instruction has selected 18 members to serve on the negotiated rulemaking committee to amend the ARM 10.55.606(3)-(9) Accreditation Process and consult on the preparation of an economic impact survey questionnaire. The purpose of this survey is to estimate what the impact of these proposed rule changes will be to local school district budgets. The negotiated rulemaking process is required by §20-7-101, Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The Negotiated Rulemaking Committee will provide a recommendation to the State Superintendent on the rule changes to ARM 10.55.606(3)-(9) pertaining to the student performance procedures used by the OPI during the accreditation process.

Committee members represent a diverse group of Montanans who are experts in education, school accreditation, statewide assessment, culturally relevant practices, and school finance.

Negotiated Rulemaking Facilitator:

• Kirsten Madsen, MT Department of Justice, Legal Services Bureau Assistant Attorney General

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Members include:

• Norah Barney, Anaconda Public Schools, Principal
• Craig Barringer, Libby K-12, Superintendent
• Sandra Beal, Ronan Public Schools, Principal
• Bob Connors, Glasgow K-12, Superintendent
• Scott Dubbs, Lewistown Public Schools, Curriculum Director
• Mark Halgren, Belgrade Public Schools, Curriculum Director
• Annette Hart, Rapelje Public Schools, Superintendent
• Matthew Lewis, Lewistown Public Schools, Principal
• Erin Lipkind, Missoula County Superintendent
• KT Northington, Bainville K-12 Schools, Business Manager
• David Pafford, Noxon Public Schools, School Board Trustee
• Michele Paine, Kalispell Public Schools, Principal
• Lynne Peterson, Laurel Public Schools, Principal
• Stephen Schreibeis, Glendive Public Schools, Superintendent
• Karlona Sheppard, East Glacier Park Elementary, Superintendent
• Ruth Uecker, Great Falls Public Schools, Assistant Superintendent
• Dee Hensley-Maclean, Montana PTA Advocacy Chair
• Jeremy MacDonald, Box Elder Public Schools, Superintendent

Once the Committee finishes its work and makes a recommendation to the state superintendent, the next step is for the Board of Public Education to consider the recommended amendment, present the economic impact statement report to the Education Interim Committee, and begin the Montana Administrative Procedures Act rulemaking process.

Additional Resources:

Board of Public Education School Accreditation Standards and Procedures Manual:

http://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/School%20Accreditation/Standards%20of%20Accreditation/AccreditationStandards_Ch55.pdf

Office of Public Instruction Administrative Rules Notice Page:

http://opi.mt.gov/Leadership/Assessment-Accountability/School-Accreditation/Montana-Accreditation-Process-Negotiated-Rulemaking-Committee

Board of Public Education Home Page:  http://bpe.mt.gov/

Office of Public Instruction website of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee for Accreditation Process:

http://opi.mt.gov/Leadership/Assessment-Accountability/School-Accreditation