The Board of Public Education in Montana recently approved five new public charter schools, bringing the total to 24 statewide. This increase reflects the growing interest in charter schools, especially after the state legislature supported a proposal that allows existing school districts to create their own charter schools with additional funding.
This round of approvals followed a comprehensive review of 12 applications, starting last month and concluding with a vote on Friday. The newly approved schools include:
- Big Horn Academy in Hardin, which will support at-risk students.
- Butte Pathway Academy, focusing on trades and career exploration.
- Libby Central Charter School, for struggling students.
- Ronan Charter Academy, centered on work-based learning.
- Central Montana Career and Technical Education Academy in Lewistown, aimed at regional career training.
Before the approvals, the board reviewed public comments, notably about the Yellowstone Experience School (YES) in Livingston. This application lacked support from the local school board, which raised concerns. Some community members were in favor of offering more educational choices, while others worried about funding already strained schools.
Emily Post, chair of YES, tried to reassure the board about their readiness, but many felt the proposal needed local backing and a clearer financial plan. Board member Lisa Schmidt noted the need for a better understanding of school finance and encouraged the applicants to collaborate with the local school board before reapplying.
The board ultimately rejected the YES application, along with four others from schools in different districts. They also turned down a repeat request from the Liberty school district to create a network of schools on Hutterite colonies. The board expressed concerns about legal challenges and the feasibility of the proposal under state charter school law.
In response to these concerns, Chair Tim Tharp announced plans for a special meeting to clarify legal questions surrounding the Liberty proposal, with the aim of seeking a legal opinion from the Attorney General. The board’s focus now will be on finalizing contracts with the approved charter schools, a task that will continue in the coming months.
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Board of Public Education,Tim Tharp
