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School panel withdraws plan providing classroom funding in Montana

The legislative panel developing a school finance system on Tuesday retracted a $36 million boost in funding for teacher salaries and benefits it endorsed just two weeks ago.

The move, endorsed 5-3 by the Quality Schools Interim Committee, negates what had been one of the panel’s most significant actions yet – a $4,000-per-classroom funding increase.

Rep. Pat Wagman, R-Livingston, proposed the change based on a report from two Montana State University economics professors hired by lawmakers to study that issue.

The report, released earlier this month, concluded what many in the education community had known for years: Teacher recruitment and retention is most problematic at smaller districts that tend to pay less and often can’t afford benefits like health insurance.

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/10/12/build/state/35-school-panel.inc

Previous Article: Montana schools panel seeks to add $36 million a year for teacher salaries: http://www.matr.net/article-16254.html

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