Standing up for Education

One of the keys to a strong Montana economy is a well-trained workforce. Democrats have been working to ensure our public education system continues to be one of the best in the nation.

One aspect of having a strong public education system, is reducing the high school drop-out rate. A bill, backed by Superintendent of Public Instruction would attempt to do this, by raising the compulsory enrollment age from 16, to 18. Unfortunately, this bill stalled in committee on a 5-5 vote.

Sen. Kim Gillan recognized that this bill was too important to our economy and students, and refused to let the bill simply die in committee. She attempted to bring the bill to the floor of the Senate for debate. Unfortunately, the Republican majority in the Senate refused to even debate the measure, and shut Sen. Gillan down.

Democrats like Sen. Gillan and Superintendent Juneau will continue to stand up for education, despite Republican obstruction, because they know a building a strong public education system is right for Montana.