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On February 5, 2008 the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC) filed a motion in the First Judicial District Court in Helena for supplemental relief and an order for the State to show cause why further relief should be granted. The plaintiffs argue that without supplemental relief, school districts throughout Montana will face budget cuts in the 2008-2009 school year. They argue the State of Montana has not yet sufficiently complied with its constitutional obligations as determined by the decision of the District Court and the Montana Supreme Court in this 2002 lawsuit.
NEW - Sept/Oct Trial in District Court
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Further information about the education associations involved in this newest effort can be found on the Montana Quality Education Coalition's (MQEC) website (along with the most recent minutes under MQEC Documents, Governance); the Montana School Board Assocation's (MTSBA) website ; School Administrators of Montana (SAM); ( MEA/MFT ); (according to unofficial reports, the MEA/MFT did not vote in the affirmative to pursue further litigation on the six year old lawsuit). The Montana Rural Education Association (MREA) had earlier withdrawn from the coalition and has retained their own attorney. Note: most of the websites have registration requiring membership with the association, although some are accessible by the public.
The coallition has published a roadmap for restoring full funding for schools. The report is on the bottom of the home page in a pdf file. Additional investments include:
- Quality Educator Payment increase - $91 million
- Special Education Costs - $47.5 million
- At Risk Funding - $47.8 million
- Payment for Textbooks and Supplies - $39 million
- Indian Education for All - $4.5 million
- School Unit Allocation for Building Operations - $29.9 million (this does not include costs associated with the facilities study currently underway.
- A permissive mill levy above BASE for up to 4% per year.
- A CPI-U inflation factor.
Total calculated costs: $259.7 million (can be phased in over three years
Another report by the Montana School Board's Association, presented to the SJR31 Study included in the Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee on Apil 17, can be found be clicking here:
Below, you will find links to the newest filings, including a letter from the Governor of Montana to the Attorney General outlining the efforts to add additional funding for schools.
More importantly, the Montana Taxpayers Association along with other business leaders in the State had initiated discussions with schools to understand their funding needs and potential collaberative efforts to address their concerns and ensure a quality education for our children in Montana. This was outlined in our September Newsletter . The Montana Rural Education Association states their interest in continuing this communication on their home page
Our association will continue to monitor the progress of the litigation and hope these discussions can continue prior to the 2009 Legislative Session if the litigation efforts are suspended. We remain committed to open discussions with the education community on funding issues and the quality of education for all children and citizens of Montana.
Plaintiffs' Renewed Motion for Supplemental Relief and An Order to Show Cause - BDV-2002-528
Letter from the Governor of Montana to the Honorable Mike McGrath Regarding the Motion to Show Cause
State's Opposition to Renewed Motion for Supplemental Relief - BDV-2002-528
Plaintiffs' Reply Memorandum in Support of Renewed Motion for Supplemental Relief and An Order to Show Cause
Order of the Montana First Judicial District Court, Cause No. BDV-2002-528
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