Principles and GuidelinesA framework of governance for school districts throughout Montana and a key to advocacy issues to be pursued by MTSBA on behalf of trustees, school districts and each student in Montana.

School boards should align their e�orts and activities with the goalof fully developing the educational potential of all the state’s citizens.

1.School boards should practice excellence in governance.

SET CLEAR GOALS with highexpectations for student achievement and quality instruction.

DEVELOP strong, shared beliefs and values for student learning opportunities

FOCUS on accountability through policy

ACHIEVE district goals through collaboration, communication and engagement with members of the community

IMPROVE by using data

PRIORITIZE professional development of administrators and sta�

COMMIT to a shared vision of excellence and achievement

Build shared knowledge, value and commitment by making board training a priority

MTSBA must ADVOCATE for adequate, rational funding for schools, su�cient to allow school districts to mean-ingfully comply with and provide an education worthy of the definition of the basic system of free quality schools in 20-9-309, MCA.

E x e c u t i v e S u m m a r y

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School boards should remain focused on the interests of children, student achievement and the most e�ective and e�cient manners possible in pursuing the full develop-ment of each student’s educational potential.

School boards should employ highly qualified and engaging sta�.

School boards should embrace the concept of di�erentiated learning for all students to ensure each child’s student success.

School boards should create safe environments that are conducive to learning and free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.

School boards should encourage and welcome parental and family involvement to better understand each child’s needs.

School boards should advocate the need for adequate school funding.

School boards should recognize the shared authority for education between the community, locally elected school boards, theMontana Board of PublicEducation and the Legislature.

School boards should strongly encourage the preservation of locally-made ideas within the community.

School boards should support and advocate for proper exercise of the Board of Public education’s and the Legislature’s respec-tive authority.

School boards should engage, education and enlist the support of community members regarding the public schools’ charge of fully developing the educational potential of each child.

MTSBA must ADVOCATE for preservation of decision-making at the local, community level. MTSBA must support and advocate for proper exercise of the Board of Public Education’s and Legislature’s respective authority. MTSBA must advocate for and enforce the constitutional guarantee and requirement that all publicly funded K-12 education in Montana be controlled by publicly elected school boards (as required by Article X, Section 8 of the Montana constitution).

School boardsshould ensureEqual Educational Opportunity forall students.

School boards should ensure that all students have full access to the programs and resources of their school district.

School boards should position every child to succeed, regardless of any special circumstances.

School boards should recognize and commit to the preservation of the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians.

School boards should implement and maintain programs to preserve and educate regarding the cultural heritage and language of American Indian peoples and tribes.

School boards should collaborate with American Indian peoples and tribes to ensure thateducational programming is culturally accurate and relevant and in harmony with the correspond-ing e�orts of tribal governments, education departments and tribal colleges.

School boards should preserve the separation of Church and State.

School boards must ensure an appropriate balance between freedom of religion and avoidance of endorsement of a particular religion.

School boards will comply with the test set forth in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) in addressing issues of religion in the public schools:

- The action of the district must have a secular purpose.- The primary e�ect of the district’s action must neither advance nor inhibit religion.- The action must not excessively entangle the district in religion.

MTSBA must carefully analyze vouchers, tuition tax credits, and other forms of proposed direct or indirect support for sectarian education with public funds. MTSBA will vigorously oppose measures that do not have merit for public educa-tion.

MTSBA’s advocacy should be based on rulings of the Montana Supreme Court and should honor the intent of our Constitutional Framers in requiring a greater degree of separation under the Montana Constitution (e.g., prohibition on “direct or indirect” support) than under the U.S. Constitu-tion (interpreted to prohibit direct sectarian aid).

MTSBA must advocate for continued support of religious freedom through opt-out provisions (e.g. vaccinations and curriculum), exceptions to mandated attendance in public schools for nonpublic students meeting the guidelines set forth in law (e.g., 20-5-109, MCA).

MTSBA must work to provide adequate and equitable funding so that local boards can provide student access to programs and services.

4.MTSBA must work to provide adequate funding for and state-wide commitment to Indian Education for All.

MTSBA must recognize the negative impact that concentrated poverty can have on cultural preservation and pride and advocate for legislation to address and mitigate these negative impacts, including but not limited to advocacy for resources to address poverty, such as impact aid legislation.

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D e v e l o p i n g t h e e d u c a t i o n p o t e n t i a l o f M o n t a n a ’s c h i l d r e n t h r o u g h s c h o o l b o a r d l e a d e r s h i p .