Governor Schweitzer Says Historic Investments Made in Public Ed and Commits to Continue to Invest in Montana Kids. School funding issue back in court

September 22, 2008

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Governor Brian Schweitzer today said that Montana kids are the ones who lose when taxpayer money is spent on lawsuits rather than in the classroom.

Citing a recent memorandum filed by the plaintiffs, Governor Schweitzer said, “This is an example of taxpayers suing taxpayers and taxpayers paying for lawyers on both sides,” said Governor Schweitzer of the lawsuit. “This is money that could be going towards other things like teacher salaries or technology in the classroom.”

“We have increased public education funding at historic levels – a 27% increase over the past four years -- and we are not done making investments,” Governor Schweitzer added, “but when both sides agree we have a “quality education system” and we are still in court, in my opinion we are wasting taxpayer money.”

Sarah Elliott 406-444-9725 Jayson O’Neill 406-444-9844 selliott@mt.gov

Full Story: http://governor.mt.gov/news/pr.asp?ID=600

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School funding issue back in court

By MIKE DENNISON - IR State Bureau

Yes, state funding for Montana public schools has increased in recent years — but that didn’t prevent the state’s largest school district from cutting programs to cover a $2.25 million shortfall this year, its superintendent testified Monday.

“You pick whatever you think will do the least harm, but no matter what you pick is going to cause harm,” Billings Superintendent Jack Copps said in District Court at Helena.

Copps, testifying on the first day of yet another trial on the adequacy of state funding for schools, said increases of the past four years are appreciated by the schools and people in education.

Full Story: http://www.helenair.com/articles/200 ... lawsuit.txt
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