House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant revisions to Montana's school funding laws, particularly focusing on the funding rates for 6th graders in districts with accredited middle school or junior high programs. The bill mandates that these 6th graders be funded at a rate that is the midpoint between the elementary and high school Average Number Belonging (ANB) rates, rather than the current lower elementary rate. Additionally, it aims to provide extra funding for expanding career and technical education in middle school and junior high programs. The bill amends sections 20-9-306 and 20-9-311 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to implement these changes.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the inclusion of certain student populations in ANB calculations, specifying that preschool pupils and students over 19 years old cannot be included, with exceptions for those with disabilities receiving special education services. It also introduces new provisions for calculating ANB for remote schools and requires districts to report attendance and enrollment data. A key requirement established by the bill is that school districts with accredited middle school or junior high programs must allocate at least $100 per ANB towards expanding career and technical education opportunities for students in grades 6 through 8, aligning with the district's Advanced Opportunity Plan. These changes are set to take effect for school fiscal years beginning July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(1): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(2): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(3): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(4): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(5): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1(6): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_1: 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(1): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(10): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(11): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(12): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(2): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(3): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(4): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(5): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(6): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(7): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(8): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2(9): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_2: 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(1): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(10): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(2): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(3): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(4): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(5): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(6): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(7): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(8): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3(9): 20-9-306, 20-9-311
HB0339_3: 20-9-306, 20-9-311