SB 69 & SB 70 look to strengthen public education

The Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee on Tuesday heard two bills, SB 69 and SB 70, both introduced by Senator Gary Branae (D) of Billings. SB 69, titled “Increase the quality educator payment” would increase payments to $4,600 for fiscal year 2010 and subsequently to $6,200 for each succeeding fiscal year. SB 70, titled “Apply inflationary adjustments to K-12 base aid and general fund components” would provide a three percent increase in each year of the 2011 biennium in the basic entitlement, to include funding for American Indian education and the quality educator payment.

The Old Supreme Court chambers were full, largely with proponents who fear the social repercussions of improperly funded K-12 education. At stake, in SB 69, is the pay for quality educators. Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau made clear in her opening remarks that “in order to truly support education, we have to support quality teachers.”

Nearly 50 school trustees, district superintendents, schoolteachers and parents traveled to Helena in order to voice their unequivocal support for sufficient K-12 funding. The only opposition to both SB 69 and SB 70 was from the Montana Taxpayers Association.

These two bills have been rereferred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.