More state officials are expressing frustration over what they say is a misunderstanding of education law by leaders of Montana's K-12 schools.
Recent criticism of Superintendent Elsie Arntzen reflects concerns from state lawmakers that she is failing to implement new education policies.
This includes the development of public charter schools. The public school board has given permission to 18 of these schools to open later this year.
But the Department of Public Instruction said a reading of the law also requires county commissioners' approval before schools can open.
Public School Board Chairman Tim Tharp said all the attorneys he consulted said Arntzen's office was in the wrong.
“I think it's a very unpleasant situation where one constitutional body is forced to ask another constitutional body to perform its prescribed duties,” Tharp said.
The public school board unanimously told Arntzen to change the policy by a July deadline.
But Arntzen further reinforced his position in a statement released after the vote. She wrote, in part, that “we need to roll up our sleeves and focus on getting these schools open legally and not get caught up in an endless loop of rhetoric.” Masu.
Arntzen suggested that the Public School Board pass an administrative regulation to clarify the law. But the board's attorney said that was not necessary.
If legal disagreements drag on, it's unclear whether charter schools will be able to meet the legal July 1 deadline to open.