Governor signs bill delivering historic funding for K-12 public schools
Provides $52.1 million to Montana public schools
courtesy photo
courtesy photo Gov. Gianforte, Superintendent Hedalen celebrate historic school funding at Prickly Pear Elementary in East Helena.
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News from the Office of Governor Gianforte
EAST HELENA — At a second-grade class at Prickly Pear Elementary School, Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed a bill to fund Montana’s K-12 public schools at historic levels. The funding measure adds $52.1 million to the state’s K-12 BASE aid funding for the fiscal year 2027 biennium.
“Working with Representative David Bedey and our partners in the legislature, we’re continuing to put Montana students first and ensuring our K-12 public schools have the resources they need,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With students, teachers, and parents in mind, we’ll prioritize investments in education to secure a brighter future for all young Montanans.”
Sponsored by Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, House Bill 15 makes a historic investment in Montana’s K-12 public education system.
“Funding Montana schools helps fund our future: our students. With the legislature and the governor working together to provide strong funding for our local schools, we’re supporting our students and bringing the American dream into greater reach for all Montanans,” Rep. Bedey said.
“I know firsthand how important our public schools are to Montana’s future,” Superintendent Hedalen said. “I thank Representative Bedey for sponsoring this legislation to fully fund Montana’s public schools and I appreciate Governor Gianforte for signing into law. By working together, we can ensure every child has access to the best education possible.”
House Bill 15 is a signature element of the governor’s Path to Security and Prosperity budget proposal and a critical part of his pro-student, pro-parent, pro-teacher education agenda for 2025.
Governor Gianforte outlined his education priorities in his 2025 State of the State address, saying, “Our state has worked to build an education system with our children and grandchildren at the front of our minds. As we know, the cornerstone of our state’s future lies in the well-being and success of our children. They’re our most precious resource, and it is our duty to invest in their future.”
In 2021, the governor championed and signed into law the TEACH Act, providing incentives for school districts to increase starting teacher pay. In its first year, the TEACH Act raised starting teacher pay for nearly 500 teachers in Montana public schools. In 2023, the governor boosted funding for the program by 40 percent.
In his current budget, building on the success of the TEACH Act, the governor invests a historic $100 million to raise teacher pay, with a focus on educators who are just starting their careers. The proposal is carried in House Bill 252 by Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad. After signing the bill, Governor Gianforte read Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big to students in Mrs. Chrissy Power’s second-grade class.
