Montana Teachers, Parents File School Aid Lawsuit
Montana’s teachers’ union, along with 11 school districts and a group of parents, has filed a lawsuit against the state. They argue that the state is not spending enough on schools to ensure that students receive a high-quality education, as guaranteed by the state constitution. Eric Feaver, the president of the Montana Education Association-Montana Federation of Teachers, states that the legislature has a constitutional responsibility to provide adequate funding for education. He points out that current budget constraints have led to program cuts, school closures, and the loss of teachers. Feaver believes that the state is denying them the necessary funds.
The lawsuit, filed on September 3rd, includes the teachers’ union, seven parents, and the elementary and high school districts of East Helena, Helena, Billings, White Sulphur Springs, and Troy as plaintiffs. Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath will represent the state in the lawsuit, but no comments have been made on its substance.
This is not the first lawsuit concerning school funding in the state. In 1987, the MEA sued the state, arguing that schools were not being funded fairly. The Montana Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that the legislature needed to address the issue. One of the attempts to solve the problem was to set limits on the amount of money wealthier districts could spend on schooling. However, the current lawsuit claims that the legislature’s actions have not resolved the "fundamental and structural deficiencies" in the school funding system.
In the past, two school board members sued the state over the school finance system, arguing that it was unfair to require taxpayers in some communities to pay more for schooling than others. Although the district court dismissed the case, the trustees are appealing the dismissal.
The lawsuit comes as the state is experiencing budget cutbacks due to declining revenues. In a special session, the legislature approved budget cuts, reducing the K-12 education budget for fiscal 2003 by $5.7 million. The cuts primarily affected school technology and construction. The decline in student enrollment has also led to a decrease in funding for schools. This reduction in support is making it challenging for schools to fulfill their responsibilities, according to Gene R. Jerussi, a member of the Billings school board. Federal data shows that Montana’s K-12 public school enrollment dropped by 10,000 students between 1997 and 2000, totaling 152,000 students.
In recent years, Montana has experienced a significant decline in its income, mainly derived from the mining, timber, and agriculture industries. Meanwhile, the residents of Montana are opposed to the idea of increasing taxes, as mentioned by Ms. Masolo. "We indeed face a challenge," she stated, "but it is important to acknowledge that we are not the sole state grappling with such difficulties."
