Home >> Prior Interim Sessions >  07 08 Ed Committee

Education and Local Government Interim Committee – Final Interim Meeting
September 4-5, 2008

Staff attorney reported the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC) school funding “adequacy” lawsuit is scheduled for hearing beginning September 22nd at 9 AM in Judge Sherlock’s court.  Seventeen plaintiff witnesses and 12 state witnesses are planned.  A prehearing conference is planned September 10th and each party is to file proposed “findings of fact and conclusions of law” should they prevail on September 12th. 
Update

Montanahigher education scholarships
The committee discussed the “Taylor” and “Hathaway” scholarship plans implemented in Louisiana and Wyoming respectively.  These plans award scholarships to state high school students who complete a prescribed college preparatory program with a minimum GPA thus providing early incentive for high school performance.  The committee approved preparation of a study resolution to be introduced in the 2009 legislature to study the implementation of such a program in Montana.

Distance learning task force
Kirk Miller reported on the progress of the Board of Public Education’s distance learning task force.  The task force is concluding two years of often contentious debate primarily about the teacher credential required for distance learning programs with recommended rules.  These rules allow teachers licensed and endorsed in Montana or another state to offer distance learning programs and create a new postsecondary faculty license.
Update

Committee proposed legislation for 2009 session approved
The committee approved drafts of legislation developed during the interim.  Some of the major proposals include: 

LC151 – requesting a study of the establishment process for a new community college;

LC1234 – removing the duties of the education and local government interim committee relating to local government and creating a stand alone local government committee;

LC2345 – a joint resolution urging the superintendent of public instruction and board of public education to work with the interim committee to develop shared policy goals and accountability measures.

LC5555 – requesting an interim study of options for improving public school administrative efficiencies.

LC8888 – obsolete local government statutes.

LC9208 – consolidating the processes of creating, administering, funding and dissolving special districts.

LC9209 – requiring governing bodies that create special districts in the future to submit boundary maps and legal descriptions and requiring existing special districts to submit this information when boundaries are altered.

Office of Public Instruction proposed legislation for 2009 session approved for introduction.
The committee approved for introduction to the 2009 legislature the following legislation proposed by the Office of Public Instruction.  This approval does not indicate support for the legislation by the committee but allows the office to proceed with the legislation without the need to find a sponsor at this time.

     •  Inflationary adjustment of 3 percent annually to formula school aid (basic entitlement, per-ANB entitlement, at-risk payment, Indian education for all, and American Indian achievement gap).

     •  Increase per-educator payment from current $3042 to $4600 in FY2010 and $6200 in FY2011.

     •  Increasing on-schedule transportation reimbursement rates by 12 percent.

     •  Reduce the time required for one-quarter time ANB from 180 to 135 hours.

     •  Require state payment of tuition for homeless students placed in shelter care by state courts.

     •  Change date for educator loan repayment assistance.

     •  Clarify consolidation procedures and language regarding assumption of bonded indebtedness in the district annexation process.