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Montana schools panel seeks to add $36 million a year for teacher salaries

October 1, 2005 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The legislative panel crafting a school funding plan took perhaps its most significant action yet Friday, endorsing an additional state payment of $4,000 per classroom.

If the plan is adopted by the Legislature, it would mean $36 million a year for increasing teacher salaries and benefits. Montana’s low teacher pay is a key shortcoming identified by a state Supreme Court ruling that found the school funding system inadequate.

"This is a pinnacle point right now," said Rep. Bill Glaser, R-Huntley, who offered the proposal. "If we go with this, we’ll be on the edge of healing what’s going on in the education community right now."

The Quality Schools Interim Committee, which is drafting a funding "formula" for public schools, endorsed the idea on a 6-1 vote.

Recommendations by the panel may go before a special session of the Legislature later this year.

MIKE DENNISON
Gazette State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?tl=1&display=rednews/2005/10/01/build/state/35-teacher-salaries.inc