Our Mission

The MQEC is committed to working with policy makers, educators, parents and everyone interested in quality education in Montana, to meaningfully address how we can meet our Constitutional obligation to Montana's children, State support of K-12 public education, in terms of its share of funding, has declined by over 15 percent in the last decade, causing the closure of schools, growth in class sizes and reeducation in programs in school districts throughout Montana. In addition, as a result of reduced state support, Montana has become less competitive with other states in terms of teacher recruitment and retention.

While we respect and work closely with the legislature and the executive branch to implement legislative remedies that meet our constitutional requirement, we believe seeking a judicial remedy in parallel with these efforts is the responsible way to make sure we find a solution to this issue at the earliest possible time.

Stated most simply, MQEC's mission is to assure that the State of Montana fulfills the promises and guarantees that are set forth in Article X, Section 1 of the Montana Constitution. That section provides:

Section 1. Educational goals and duties.

(1) It is the goal of the people to establish a system of education which will develop the full educational potential of each person. Equality of educational opportunity is guaranteed to each person of the state.

(2) The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of the American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.

(3) The legislature shall provide a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools. The legislature may provide such other educational institutions, public libraries, and educational programs as it deems desireable. It shall fund and distribute in an equitable manner to the school districts the state's share of the cost of the basic elementary and secondary school system.

MQEC believes that under our Constitution, public education is the State of Montana's highest priority. It is the key to our State's economic, cultural, and social future. Our mission is to do everything possible to achieve and maintain the promises and guarantees set forth in the Montana Constitution.

Prong I: The Search for Solutions

MQEC is committed to efforts to help identify and enact meaningful solutions to the problems facing public education in Montana. As part of this commitment, we have devoted, and will continue to devote resources to draw upon expertise within and outside of Montana. We are working with others in the educational community and supporters of public education to educate policymakers and the public.

MQEC is proud of our partnership with the Montana School Boards Association in commissioning the Augenblick & Myers Cost of Education Study in Montana. It is the most comprehensive effort undertaken to date in this State to identify the components of a quality education system, and to determine the costs of delivering quality education to all students in our public schools. The study, applying the Professional Judgment Model, has drawn national attention, and is consistent with efforts that are underway in other states to assure adequate and equitable funding for public education.

MQEC will continue to pursue every opportunity to engage in meaningful and constructive dialogue in the search for solutions.

 

Prong II: The Constitutional Challenge

On September 3, 2002, a representative group of school districts from throughout the State, together with parents, board members, and the MEA-MFT, filed a constitutional challenge to Montana's school finance system. The case is pending in Lewis & Clark County District Court, with the Honorable Jeffrey Sherlock presiding. Judge Sherlock has entered a Case Management Order that sets the trial date for January 20, 2004.

Through the constitutional challenge, we seek a declaration from the Court that the State of Montana has failed to meet its constitutional obligations under Article X, Section 1 of the Montana Constitution. MQEC recognizes and respects the constitutional responsibilities and prerogatives of the executive and legislative branches, the Board of Public Education, and local school boards. MQEC further recognizes, however, that the judiciary properly may be petitioned to exercise its constitutional responsibility and prerogative to determine whether the coordinate branches of government are meeting their constitutional responsibilities.

MQEC firmly believes that the efforts to help find solutions are consistent with the constitutional challenge that we have filed. The evidence that will be developed about the operation and effects of Montana’s school funding system will be accurate and reliable. The expertise that will be drawn upon from within and beyond our State can help the legislative and executive branches to better understand the nature and extent of the problems facing public education, as well as the potential remedies for those problems.

Click here to view court documents.