Senate Bill No. introduced by B. Beard aims to revise the school funding laws in Montana by redefining the "basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools" and updating the educationally relevant factors that the legislature must consider when developing a school funding formula. Key amendments include the introduction of a statewide public school open enrollment program, a focus on student achievement growth in relation to inflation-adjusted funding, and increased transparency regarding how public school districts utilize additional funding to improve student outcomes. The bill also emphasizes the need for qualified educators and the preservation of local control within school districts.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the legislature consider various factors when determining the funding formula, such as the ability for students to transfer between public schools at no cost, the correlation between funding increases and student achievement, and the clarity of the funding mechanism for taxpayers. The proposed funding formula is designed to be equitable, self-executing, and adaptable to annual inflationary adjustments. The act will take effect immediately upon passage and approval, and it requires the formation of a school funding interim commission every ten years to reassess the funding formula.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-309
SB0215_1(1): 20-9-309
SB0215_1(2): 20-9-309
SB0215_1(3): 20-9-309
SB0215_1(4): 20-9-309
SB0215_1(5): 20-9-309
SB0215_1(6): 20-9-309
SB0215_1: 20-9-309