Dear Advocates for Quality Education:
The Montana Quality Education Coalition has long pursued a funding system that can provide quality education to all Montana children as guaranteed by Article X of the Montana Constitution. We have pursued this goal through the courts, with policy makers, and with the public. Thankfully, our members have been with us each step of the way, supporting, and in many cases leading our efforts as we work to overcome the significant challenges we face.
The attached discussion draft of a proposed remedy represents one of the more significant developments in the history of MQEC. This draft represents the collective work of a group of educators and state association representatives from throughout Montana. Our Remedy Committee members focused their efforts on assessing the unmet needs of the children we serve in our public schools and designing a funding proposal to address and overcome the challenges facing Montana's public schools.
The background and recommendations found in the attached remedy document reflect many hours of discussion about the realities that challenge the ability of Montana's public schools to provide educational opportunities to all children within the framework of Montana's Constitutional guarantees.
The Remedy Committee recommendations are now provided to you for your feedback. It is the intent of the MQEC Board to refine the remedy document once it has reviewed feedback from MQEC members and other stakeholders.
What you will read in the attached remedy document is very much a work in progress. We look forward to hearing your thoughts regarding whether, or to what extent, we have hit the mark, where we can improve and refine the proposal and any other thoughts you may have regarding how we can best address the remaining challenges before us. Please send your suggestions and comments to Bruce Messinger, chair of the Remedy Committee. Bruce can be reached at bmessinger@helena.k12.mt.us. MQEC will also be providing additional focused opportunities for you to provide your suggestions and comments electronically and in person.
Thank you for your leadership and your dedication to the children of
Montana.
Dr. Michael Nicosia, Superintendent
Columbia Falls School District Six
P.O. Box 1259
Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Phone: (406) 892-6550, Ext. 422
Fax: (406) 892-6552