Schools looking ahead to next year

Even though summer is just beginning, the 2020-2021 school year will be here before we know it. With a prompt end to the normalcy of classroom interaction this spring, it is never too early to set plans for what the upcoming fall may look like.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen recently introduced a two-team, 32-member task force to guide and provide feedback on how schools should reopen. With representatives from locations throughout Montana, Arntzen has appointed two superintendents currently from Sanders County. From Noxon, Jon Martin will be joining, and Hot Springs' Mike Perry, who is relocating to Arlee, will also be on the task force.  

According to Martin, Noxon was working closely with Deputy Superintendent of Schools Sharyl Allen to develop a transformational learning program prior to the pandemic. Martin described the program as being a more personalized and customized way of learning, based on individual student needs. He feels this is a key factor contributing to why he was asked to join the task force.

"We just got started," Martin commented. But so far, he said a lot of time has been spent reviewing federal regulations and following the constant changing of CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. "The main objective is to make recommendations to Elsie Arntzen, who will then make them to the governor," said Martin.

Martin added that his personal role is to take financial aspects into consideration and make recommendations on how to continue educating students in a different format. As budgets are a major component in school operations, the new learning environment places a new challenge on an already difficult financial situation for many schools throughout Montana.

According to a news release, the Montana Learn Task Force is comprised of community partners, educators, parents and students. Collectively, their role is to assess resources needed by families and educators in order to be successful in teaching and learning within the changing learning environment we currently find ourselves in.

The other part of the task force is the Montana Flex 2020 Task Force. Primarily school administrators, education associations and the Board of Public Education form this team. The teams' duties are to keep in line with state and federal rules and regulations while updating those that will allow for more flexibility in the schools.

"Montana families and educators are looking forward to the new school year this fall with optimism," Arntzen said in the news release. "As state leaders, we must support them."

The task force will be meeting via Zoom to provide guidance to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and education partners. The Montana School Safety Advisory Committee analyzes the recommendations for health and safety measures and then provide guidance on obtaining safe learning conditions for students and teachers, according to the news release.

OPI's website (http://opi.mt.gov/Families-Students/School-Topics/Re-Opening-Schools-Task-Forces) will post recorded task force meetings and further information on the discussions. Public comments and questions can be addressed by emailing [email protected].