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  • 406-444-3160
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Please contact the OPI Help Desk at opihelpdesk@mt.gov or 406.444.0087

 
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Applicants Needed to Develop Distribution of Oil and Natural Gas Monies to Schools

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

With the passage SB 260 by the 2015 Legislature, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is establishing two independent negotiated rulemaking committees to develop a process, mechanism, and criteria for the distribution of monies in the state school oil and natural gas distribution account. The committees will also advise the OPI on the preparation of an economic impact statement.
 
The notice of proposed rulemaking will be published in the Montana Administrative Register on July 16. The notice announces that the OPI is seeking applications from interested parties to serve on the negotiated rulemaking committees. Click here to view the notice.
 
The first committee will be comprised of public school officials and public school employees from school districts that are located in or are immediately adjacent to a county in which oil and natural gas production taxes are generated and professional organizations representing these public school officials and employees. This committee will develop proposed rules regarding distribution of 50 percent of the funds deposited in the state school oil and natural gas distribution account.
 
The second committee will be comprised of public school officials and public school employees from school districts around the state and professional organizations representing these public school officials and employees. This committee will develop proposed rules regarding the distribution of the remaining 50 percent of the funds deposited in the state school oil and natural gas distribution account.
 
The OPI has posted an online form on the OPI School Finance webpage for individuals to apply to serve on the negotiated rulemaking committees. An applicant may represent more than one category, such as teacher and parent of school-aged children.
 
The application requests:
  • contact information
  • school district represented
  • other groups the applicant represents
  • brief explanations of how the applicant’s experience and perspective help to meet the selection criteria for: geography and proximity to oil and natural gas production areas; district and school size and grade levels served
Click here to complete an application. Applications will be accepted via the online form through August 17, 2015. OPI will notify applicants by August 31, 2015 if they are selected to serve on one of the committees.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Madalyn Quinlan, Chief of Staff, Office of Public Instruction at mquinlan@mt.gov or by phone at 406-444-3168.
 


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montana Schools Serve More Local, Healthy Foods

Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 1:36 pm
By Emilie Ritter Saunders
406-444-3160

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released its Farm to School Census showing more Montana schools are serving local foods now than in previous years.

During the 2013-2014 school year, 40 percent of Montana districts reported purchasing local foods, tending school gardens, and providing comprehensive food education. That’s up from 38 percent during the 2011-2012 school year.

“Farm to School is a win-win for our children and our food producers,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said. “Schools are buying more than $1.6 million in local foods, which supports our Montana businesses. In turn, our students have more access to healthy food choices, strengthening their bodies and brains.”

Seventy-three percent of Montana school districts participated in the USDA’s Farm to School Census. 

Montana Farm To School By The Numbers

  • $1,616,182 spent on local foods
  • 76 districts participate in Farm to School
  • 9,453 students engaged with Farm to School
  • 23 percent of school districts’ food budget spent on local foods
  • 55 edible school gardens
  • 80 percent of school districts have a salad bar

Schools across the United States purchased $789 million in local foods from farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and food processors and manufacturers in school year 2013-2014, according to results from the USDA Farm to School Census. That represents a 105 percent increase over the 2011-2012 school year when the first census was conducted.

To learn more or to start a Farm to School program visit opi.mt.gov/Farm2School.

Join farm to school champions across Montana for the Farm to School Summit on September 22-23, 2016 at Montana State University in Bozeman.

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Biography

Photos

Denise Juneau, Superintendent of Public InstructionDenise Juneau has spent her adult life ensuring that all Montanans have access to a quality education that can open the doors to a better future. Her work in public schools and leading the state's education agency has meant increased opportunities for Montanans, and a collective boost to the state's economy.

Denise's Montana roots run deep. Her family's ancestry traces back to before Montana was even a state, possibly 54 generations on this soil. She attended Head Start in Billings while her parents worked their way through college. By 2nd grade, her family moved to Browning where Denise's grandmother was a school cook and mother to eight children, her grandfather was a medal-awarded veteran, police officer and drove school buses, and her parents were educators. Denise's first job was alongside her grandma in the school kitchen.

She experienced first-hand the value of education and public service and recognizes they can change the course of someone's life.

After graduating from Browning High School, Denise received her bachelor's degree in education from Montana State University. She continued her education and earned a master's in English from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. After teaching in North Dakota and Montana and working at the state education agency, Denise set her sights on the legal profession and received her juris doctorate from The Law School at The University of Montana.

Denise is an enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Tribes and a descendant of the Blackfeet tribe. In 2008, she became the first American Indian woman in the country ever elected to an executive statewide office. In 2012, she was reelected to a second term as Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction.

As Superintendent, Denise launched an unprecedented effort to make sure all Montana students who graduate from high school are prepared for college or military and civilian careers. She developed a statewide initiative, Graduation Matters Montana, which has made a positive difference in more than 50 communities. Graduation Matters Montana brings school, business leaders, community members, students and families together to work toward a common goal – that every student graduates from high school ready to succeed. Since the start of Graduation Matters, Montana's graduation rate has increased to its highest level ever recorded.

Denise's success in raising Montana's graduation rate has a direct impact on improving the state's economy. According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, the increase in Montana's high school graduation rate will equal a $6 million annual boost to the state's economy.

Denise has also spent seven years as superintendent pushing back on federal education policies that don't make sense in Montana. She turned a rigid one-size-fits-all federal school improvement grant program into one that fits rural Montana schools. She's pushed back on federal student testing, and long advocated for repealing No Child Left Behind.

In her tenure as superintendent, Denise has raised academic standards, expanded college and career readiness opportunities and advocated for policies to improve the quality of education in our state and nation. Denise believes that all Montanans have a stake in our public education system, and when Montana students succeed, Montana succeeds.

Denise also sits on Montana's Land Board, which has a constitutional duty to manage
the state's natural resources in a way that has the largest financial benefit to public schools. Denise has advocated for responsible natural resource development in a way that benefits Montana's schools, keeps the state's resource economy moving forward, and preserves access to public lands.

Denise's parents, Stan and Carol Juneau live in Great Falls. Her brother, Ron, lives and works in Billings with his family.

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction

As our State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau is working hard for the people of Montana to help give Montana's children the most valuable tool they can receive, a quality education.  Strong schools can create educational opportunities for Montana students to be highly competitive in the global economy.


The Office of the Superintendent

Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise JuneauThe people of Montana have elected a State Superintendent of Instruction as one of the five members of the Executive Branch since 1889. Montana demonstrates the high value it places on educating our children, by electing a State Superintendent for K-12 public education who is accountable directly to Montana citizens.

By law, the State Superintendent has general supervision of the K-12 public schools and districts. The State Superintendent also serves as a member of the Land Board, the State Library Commission, and as an ex-officio non-voting member of the Board of Public Education, the Board of Regents for the University System, and the Board of Education.

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2015 Legislative Session

2015 State of Education Address

Superintendent Juneau's 2015 Legislative Agenda

OPI Proposed Legislation 2015

OPI Goals and Objectives

SB 175 Summary

Legislative Resources

 

Board of Education

 

Montana Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Communications with US Department of Education

2015 Montana Plan to Ensure Equitable Access to Quality Educators
USED Approval of AYP Waiver Request
AYP Waiver Request
USED Approval of No Double-Testing Request
Official MT No Double Testing Waiver Request
SBAC field test 2014
ESEA Waiver Decline
Compliance Report Regarding Frozen AMOs
Amend Montana Accountability Workbook
Teacher and Principal Evaluation Data
Raising AMOs and ESEA Reauthorization
Charter School Requirement in SIG
Education Issues Facing Rural States
Duncan Response to MT Regarding AMOs

Montana State Land Board

Image of Montana LandsDenise Juneau as Superintendent of Public Instruction is a member of the State Land Board. The land board oversees the management of 5.2 million acres of Montana school trust land.

State trust lands are managed by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Trust Land Management Division. Timber, surface, and mineral resources are managed for the benefit of the common schools and the other endowed institutions in Montana, under the direction of the State Board of Land Commissioners.

Ann Gilkey, Chief Legal Counsel for Office of Public Instruction will handle questions relating to the State Land Board. Please contact Ann at agilkey@mt.gov if you would like to comment on state land topics or if you have any questions.

State Land Board meetings are held on the third Monday of each month.

Other Land Board Members

Monthly meeting agenda and minutes

Overview of School Trust Lands

Land Board
STATE LAND BOARD CULTURAL TOUR

From left to right: Representative David Roundstone; Monica Lindeen, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Montana State Auditor; Leroy Spang, Northern Cheyenne President; Denise Juneau, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Steve Bullock, Attorney General; Linda McCulloch, Secretary of State; Mary Sexton, Director of DNRC; Jerry LaFranier, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council member.

Superintendent Decisions

Office of Public Instruction Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission: The Montana Office of Public Instruction provides vision, advocacy, support and leadership for schools and communities to ensure that all students meet today's challenges and tomorrow's opportunities.

The Office of Public Instruction's key strategic directions are as follows:

  • Ensure that every child begins school and graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the 21st century global society by strengthening Montana education from preschool through college and the workforce.
    • The OPI is working on policy to minimize the barriers that exist at the major transition points for students in their educational career.  Pre-school to Kindergarten, Elementary to Middle School, Middle School to High School, and High School to Career or Career Prep or College.
  • Improve student achievement in struggling schools by providing leadership for school turnaround efforts across the state.
    • The OPI is working with schools and communities to find meaningful and sustainable solutions (where assistance is most needed).  Local organizing efforts involving schools and their local partners will be the core of this work.
  • Provide current and accurate educational information to the state, school districts, and communities to promote data-driven policy decisions and assist in improving teaching and learning.
    • OPI is developing a data warehouse for K-12 education that is guided by policy to ensure efficiency, quality, reliability, and accessibility and allow meaningful research to take place to assist in decision making from the local to the state level.
  • Improve school-community relationships and student performance through the development and implementation of a comprehensive communication plan.
    • A defined communication effort with School Boards, Superintendents, Administrators, Business Officials, Teachers, Students, and Parents will allow for information to more effectively and efficiently flow between the OPI and these groups.
  • Provide systematic training opportunities and focused staff development for OPI staff to support their work and ensure quality customer service.
    • Investment in the OPI staff to improve customer service and cross training to ensure efficient continuation of services will provide for an effective working relationship between the OPI and the field in all areas.

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Legal Division

The OPI legal counsel provides legal advice and services to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Legal Division provides services to OPI divisions and assists the legal counsel in her duties. Those duties include, but are not limited to:

(1) providing legal advice and services to the Superintendent in connection with special education;
(2) assisting with appeals from County Superintendent decisions;
(3) representing the State Superintendent and OPI in court proceedings;
(4) providing legal services and advice in connection with teacher certification, denial, suspension and revocation;
(5) assisting with the adoption and amendment of administrative rules;
(6) assisting with legislation; and
(7) production of "School Laws of Montana."

Division Staff:
Ann Gilkey, Chief Legal Counsel, 406.444.4402
Mandi Gibbs, Early Assistance Program Director, 406.444.5664
Linda Brandon-Kjos, Legal Administrative Officer, 406.444.4402
Beverly J. Marlow, Paralegal, 406.444.3172

Resources

Special Education Law Training, Nov. 18, 2013

Joint Guidance on the Application of the FERPA and the HIPAA to Student Health Records

Do You Know Your Legal Rights and Responsibilities as an 18 Year Old?

2015 School Laws of Montana Order Form

IDEA law, 20 USC Sec. 1400 et seq

Administrative Rules - Education (updated regularly)

Administrative Rules of Montana (Updated Semiannually)

Montana Codes Annotated (MCA)

Special Education Early Assistance Program

The Legal and the Special Education Divisions of the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) have created the Early Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides technical assistance to parents, school districts, and advocacy organizations, related to the delivery of a free appropriate public education for;students with disabilities. The Early Assistance Program Director is available to intercede prior to or at the time of filing a formal complaint with the OPI. The EAP Director will gather information pertinent to the situation and attempt to resolve an issue within 15 school days. With permission from the parents, the EAP process may exceed 15 days.

Our philosophy is to resolve issues amicably and, whenever possible, prevent expensive and emotionally challenging legal entanglements. When provided with the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand in a less formal and confrontational venue, parents and schools can reach agreement without undermining the relationships necessary to ensure the smooth delivery of special education services to students with disabilities.

Contact:
Mandi Gibbs, Early Assistance Program Director, 406.444.5664

Legal Links

School District Territory Transfers

In order to assist citizens, school districts, and county superintendents, OPI legal staff, together with County Superintendents Marsha Davis and Rachel Vielleux, prepared a flow chart and sample forms to be used as guides in the transfer process.

Links to PDF versions of these documents are provided below. If you need the documents in a Word file, please contact the OPI Legal Division at 444.3172 or email bemarlow@mt.gov.

DISCLAIMER
These territory transfer documents are only for general information to provide a broad guide in effecting a territory transfer. They should not be relied upon as constituting legal advice or definitive forms. You should seek legal assistance in drafting documents specific to your particular needs.

Petition to Transfer School District Territory
Resolution of Board of Trustees - Transferring District
Resolution of Board of Trustees - Receiving District
Sample Letter re Transferring
Sample Transfer Order
Territory Transfer Flow Chart
Territory Transfer Law

Administrative Rules Notices

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