These are the challenges and opportunities facing public education in Montana.
Fully funding public schools is the only way to ensure all students get the education they deserve, regardless of ZIP code.
Fair wages allow educators to provide for their families and do what they love without going into debt. Fact: 1 in 5 educators must take a second job to get by. This is not sustainable.
Educators deserve access to the benefits they spent their lives paying for. Protecting pensions and Social Security ensures retired educators live with dignity.
Every student should be able to pursue an education without amassing major debt. We support college affordability legislation, federal loan forgiveness programs for public service and increased Pell Grant funding.
Public money should go to public services. Giving taxpayer money to private interests, like unaccountable, for-profit charter schools, eliminates a path to well-paying jobs for the communities public schools serve.
Without quality healthcare, many students can’t come to school ready to learn. We support expanding Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), improving the Affordable Care Act and repealing the tax on employee-sponsored health insurance.
Here's what you can do to support public education where you live.
For every child to have the opportunity to succeed, politicians must fight for quality public schools. I pledge to support candidates in the 2020 election who are champions for Montana students.