Julie Balsam

The meeting commenced the first quarter session for 2026. Discussions involved procedural adherence to Robert's Rules of Order, including standing votes. Key business items included the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, which contained minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting. A motion passed to apply remaining 2025 Bradley grant funds, approximately $26,000, toward a legal retainer for policy compliance review. The commission also debated and subsequently voted to adopt a renewal policy. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the renewal site visit preparation documents, specifically concerns that the sample agenda provided might be too prescriptive, potentially stifling school autonomy, although it was acknowledged as best practice for stakeholder engagement. Further discussion occurred regarding the site visit notes template, focusing on who completes the forms and how inputs are aggregated prior to commission recommendation.

The special meeting addressed the agenda, which included a discussion on out-of-state travel requests for the Montana School for Deaf and Blind's gold ball team. Two travel requests were approved: one to travel to the Washington School for the Blind over Halloween and another to attend a tournament in Colorado Springs. The board also confirmed that staff providing transportation for these trips must complete the state of Montana defensive driving course. A brief public comment section followed, including a mention of new vehicle wrap and advanced driving skills support.

The meeting covered several administrative and policy agenda items. Following the acceptance of the agenda and introduction of a new Commission member, officer elections were held, resulting in the unanimous appointment of Trish Schreiber as Chair, Jon Rutt as Vice Chair, and Chip Lindenlaub as Treasurer. Key business included the unanimous approval of Core Values as guiding principles, affirmation of Conflict of Interest Statements by all members, and the acceptance of several procedural documents: the Application Proposal Review Policy, the Founder Proposed School Application Guidebook, the Commission Member Application Guidebook, the CCS Annual Report Template, the Authorizer Annual Report Requirements and Template, and the Commission Annual Report Template, and the Member Expense Approval Policy. Discussions also focused on establishing subcommittees for 2026, specifically continuing fundraising, policymaking, and special education consideration subcommittees. Reports highlighted a granted $200,000 Bradley Foundation grant to support the Year Zero program and operational costs, progress on Special Education policy development via RFP, and updates on standardized assessment recommendations. The Commission also discussed and selected tentative meeting dates for 2026.

This Annual Plan outlines the strategic direction for the Board of Public Education to fulfill its constitutional and statutory mandate of supervising and strengthening Montana's public school system. The plan is structured around six key priorities: exercising constitutional authority to improve education, promoting a safe learning environment, evaluating and adopting contemporary accreditation standards, fostering quality teaching and administration, supporting student preparation for employment and higher education, and fulfilling statutory obligations to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The plan emphasizes collaboration with educational partners, data-driven decision-making, and transparency to achieve its goals.

This Strategic Plan outlines the Board of Public Education's roadmap to strengthen Montana's public elementary and secondary school system. It focuses on exercising constitutional and statutory authority, promoting safe learning environments, evaluating and adopting contemporary accreditation standards for quality education, fostering high-quality teaching and administration, preparing all students for employment, post-secondary education, and civic life, and fulfilling statutory obligations to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind.