Local control is returning to our school districts! During these unprecedented times, as the state superintendent, I have made strong recommendations to the governor to honor local control and flexibility for our schools. The governor’s new directive for a phased reopening of our state includes that education decisions should be made by local school trustees while ensuring social distancing guidelines are met. In Montana, we trust our trustees.
School districts now have the opportunity to continue distance learning, return to traditional classrooms providing social distancing can occur, or pursue a mixed-model of education for the remainder of the school year. Local school boards and health departments also have the ability to declare local emergencies to close schools per state law.