Superintendent Arntzen Discusses State Education Budget with School Leaders

November 18, 2020

HELENA- Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen hosted a Zoom meeting with local school district leaders and education partners this week to walk through the Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) proposed education budget and the differences from the proposed executive budget that was issued Monday.

“Education has been one of the hardest-hit sectors in Montana by the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting student learning, teaching, and family schedules,” Superintendent Arntzen said Wednesday. “The proposed budget from my office included much-needed funding for children needing special education.  I am disappointed to see that Governor Bullock did not prioritize special education in his proposed budget, but I look forward to working with the incoming administration and legislature to ensure that we look out for all of our students across Montana, no matter their educational abilities or needs.”

In a Zoom meeting with district and county superintendents, school administrators, school board trustees, and education associations, Superintendent Arntzen and the OPI’s finance specialists broke down the OPI’s proposed funding levels for schools (Program 9) and state-level activities (Program 6). Superintendent Arntzen is proposing a budget allocation of $99.1 million from the state general fund over the biennium. Her proposed budget prioritizes funding for special education students, in addition to the inflationary increase that schools receive for BASE Aid. The proposed executive budget does not include this additional support for special education students.

You can learn more about the OPI’s legislative priorities on the legislative webpage.

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CONTACT: Dylan Klapmeier

                        Communications Director

                        Montana Office of Public Instruction

                        dylan.klapmeier@mt.gov

                        406-444-3559