Relevance of Montana school funding surveys questioned

A number of education groups questioned the relevance Tuesday of polling district administrators and the public through a pair of surveys this summer to glean more insight into Montana’s school finance needs.

The surveys, to be released for response in coming weeks, were drafted at the request of the state by a team of experts hired to help lawmakers finish developing a new school funding system. The current system was declared unconstitutional last fall by the state Supreme Court.

In a meeting Tuesday, a working group of the Quality Schools Interim Committee further tweaked the wording and intent of the surveys, which will be considered for final approval by the full committee next week.

By SARAH COOKE
Associated Press

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