Montana needs to invest in education funding, reorganization

After reviewing letters to the editor and articles about funding for education, I find it clear that neither side of the aisle is focusing on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for education. I’m not speaking for my caucus, but only laying out a plan that I personally believe represents the most prudent approach to investing in education. Let’s stop throwing stones, blaming the other side, worrying about the Montana Quality Education Coalition lawsuit and focus on what is best for the kids.

By RICK LAIBLE
Montana State Senator http://leg.mt.gov/css/sessions/60th/leg_info.asp?HouseID=2&SessionID=91&LAWSID=1401

How much is enough for education? No one knows, since neither the administrators, the Legislature nor the Board of Education can agree on how much is enough. I remember during my first session, after many hours of debate on education funding, I asked the question, "How much do we need?" The answer: "We don’t know, but we need more!"

The state has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trying to figure out a funding formula based on educationally relevant factors as required by a recent court decision, but we still don’t have anything other than the current dysfunctional system.

So, what is the answer? The Legislature has no control over how the money is spent on K-12 education. That responsibility lies with the Board of Education. The Legislature must provide adequate funding for a quality educational system. Our state is blessed with some of the best teachers in the country, so we’ve got the quality aspect covered, and we have the brightest kids, which is why nationally we test in the top 10 of all the states. We must provide the resources so that our teachers and children can excel.

Let’s stop addressing education funding as a liability and start thinking of education funding as an investment in our children, our Montana families and our Montana businesses.

Let’s tie additional funding to a funding formula that would be phased in over four years to work out the issues. Our goals should be to craft the formula so that more money goes into the classroom. The funds still have to be administered by the Board of Education, but at least the Legislature has funded education based on educationally relevant factors. No formula, no more money into K-12.

Once we’ve funded education with a formula, let’s address the best way to further our investment in our new work force. Wyoming is implementing a scholarship program based not just on merit or need, but for all graduating high school students. This plan provides a scholarship to every student based on taking required high school courses and the student’s college admission scores. Any student who has a 2.5 grade-point average or higher would be eligible for a full or partial scholarship to any Montana four-year or two-year college. In essence, even kids whose parents don’t have the economic means necessary could have the opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge. This is what we mean by investing in education and the future of this state.

The Board of Regents is considering the separation of the two-year system with a deputy commissioner, and the four-year system into two autonomous entities with separate budgets. This new plan for the Montana University System would give both the four-year college system and the two-year college system flexibility to guide their campuses.

Some may say that during this economic downturn we can’t afford to spend more money for education, when in fact we can’t afford not to invest in education! When the economy slows down, businesses invest in newer equipment, more training for their people in order to compete, so why shouldn’t the state do the same thing?

Our kids, our young people and our workers are the key to the economic development for this state. What better way to develop our economy, increase job growth and improve the vitality of our state than to provide skilled workers for the expanding needs required. This vision doesn’t just focus on educating our young people, but about the retraining of those workers left behind. If we have a skilled work force, businesses will come here and grow here.

I believe we can accomplish all of the above without raising taxes!

Sen. Rick Laible of Darby chairs the Interim Education and Local Government Committee.

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/03/29/opinion/guest/24-funding.txt

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Schweitzer offers school superintendents funding encouragement

By SUSAN GALLAGHER of the Associated Press

Gov. Brian Schweitzer says people who think he is through putting money into Montana’s public schools are wrong.

Schweitzer told school superintendents Tuesday that a strong system of public education is essential for the state’s economic development. He said the superintendents must press their legislators to make a commitment to education funding.

Schweitzer’s comments to the Montana Association of School Superintendents came 2 months after the Montana School Boards Association said he should do more to address inadequacies in school funding. In January, Schweitzer cautioned schools against banking on another big increase in money.

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/01/bnews/br18.txt