The Montana Constitution provides that the Legislature shall “provide a basic system of free, quality public elementary and secondary schools” and provide adequate funding for these schools.
It is wonderful. In principle yes. In fact, Montana has failed to deliver on this promise. Instead of increasing funding, the Montana Legislature recently passed laws (HB 549, HB 562) that siphon already scarce funding from public education.
Great teachers are at the heart of a high-quality public school system. However, becoming a public school teacher in Montana is financially difficult. The average starting salary for teachers in Montana is the lowest in the nation. This is below what is considered a livable wage. The average salary for all teachers in Montana ranks him 40th in the nation. Given these low salaries, the challenges of finding affordable housing, and the growing disdain for teachers, it's no wonder Montana has a teacher shortage.
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I was a public school teacher for 30 years. Even with a master's degree and years of experience, supporting a family as a single parent was often difficult. The situation is even worse for early-career teachers, especially those whose families lack additional income. This is neither a desirable nor a sustainable situation.
In this election year, I encourage everyone, regardless of political party, to speak up for public education. Demand that your elected officials prioritize Montana students and teachers. This benefits us all.