HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – The Montana House of Representatives passed two bills aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers for rural schools.
Representative Tyson Runningwolf from Browning is sponsoring House Bill 420, which passed with a vote of 70 to 30. The bill would appropriate $500,000 in state funding to create a series of grants for schools and students to encourage pursuing education degrees and staying in Montana.
“Today our rural schools, especially schools in Indian Country, are struggling to graduate students. And rural schools finding high quality educators willing to relocate are few to little.”
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports, the House also passed House Bill 459 with a vote of 55 to 45. The bill, sponsored by Representative Becky Beard from Elliston, would create a special account from excess oil and gas tax revenue for rural schools to retain and recruit teachers. The account would fill with about $500,000 every year.
“Our rural schools absolutely need this assistance to be able to attract the best qualified, best suited teachers and certified staff for their students.”
The House will vote on the bills again before they move to the Senate.
