Montanans trust and support their public schools

The Montana Constitution states unequivocally: “It is the purpose of the nation to establish an educational system that develops the full educational potential of each person. Every citizen of the state is guaranteed equal educational opportunities.” As a result, throughout Montana, people value their local public schools. They want local school boards and teachers to ensure that every child reaches their full potential. The emphasis on local control allows families to have a strong voice in this education. A recent study by a coalition of public education advocates underscores this message. Seventy-five percent of respondents said that local school boards, in conjunction with the State Board of Education, “should have the greatest authority to determine how public schools operate.” This sentence reflects our Montana Constitution: “The supervision and control of the schools in each school district shall be vested in a board of trustees elected according to law.”

For 15 years, we have asked a representative sample of Montanans to share their confidence and aspirations in our public schools. In 2024, several messages were made loud and clear. As in previous years, three-quarters of participants want elected officials to support increased funding for K-12 public education; 74% support elected officials who call for improvement and innovation in public education. When asked “which of the following areas should be the highest priority” when spending taxes, education (44%) and public health and human services (32.5%) topped the list. Respondents said it was important for elected school board members to be impartial (76% agreement); only 16% said they would support elected officials who suggest taxpayer money funds private schools as an alternative to public education.

Survey results reveal what Montanans think about public schools and offer educators guidance. Ninety-three percent of our students attend public schools, so it’s critical that Montanans’ voices are heard. They share our passion for shaping a better future for every child and every community. Last year, 76% of respondents said state-funded public preschool was important, a 7% increase from five years earlier. The coalition then supported an early literacy bill (HB352) and the Legislature approved it. This year, 83% of respondents maintained the call for a comprehensive curriculum that includes early childhood education beginning at age 4, gifted and talented programs, music, art, physical education, technology, career and technical education, and advanced placements, and more core curriculum (mathematics, English, science, social studies). They trust teachers, local officials and the State Board of Education to make curriculum choices (73%), ahead of the state superintendent (5.1%), governor (3%) or legislature (0.6%). They are asking for boards to ensure socially and emotionally supportive classrooms (86%), safety (95%), collaboration (91%), equity (86%) and academically excellent schools (92%). We hope that legislative action will provide the funding and flexibility to achieve these goals. As advocates for high-quality public education, you can count on us to support the priorities of Montana voters during the 2025 legislative session. Please join us in expressing your support for these priorities in discussions with your local legislators.

Overall, Montanans rate their local public schools highly. They understand the critical role public schools play. They support the school their children attend. They know what’s going on in the classroom and they know the teachers, which leads to strong support for schools in their neighborhood. Our public schools are beacons of hope, embodying the spirit of our cities and reflecting the dreams we hold for our children.

Sue Corrigan is a Kalispell board member and president of the Montana State School Boards Association (MTSBA); Krystal Zentner is a Bridger Trustee and president-elect of MTSBA; Rick Cummings is a Cascade board member and vice president of MTSBA; Tom Billteen is a Butte trustee and immediate past president of MTSBA