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Melissa Romano for SPI

Montana’s public educational system has excellent ratings, thanks to the leadership of Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, and the support she has received from Gov. Steve Bullock. I am looking forward for those high ratings to continue with the leadership of Melissa Romano who is the Democratic candidate to replace Superintendent Juneau.

Opportunities have been expanding yearly and with the standards from the Common Core, they are better defined by educators from Montana. Yes, Montana educators have had direct impact on the Common Core. They are not standards dictated by outsiders as stated by the GOP candidate for superintendent of public education, Elsie Arntzen. Much of the information she promotes is false.

The standards are beneficial to both the educators as well as students. Common Core has expanded courses of study and expectations in the 21 century, which will put educational achievement levels ready to meet the challenges of our country’s future. Candidate Romano is committed to prepare our students for Montana’s future.

As a retired educator, I am very uncomfortable learning about the relationship candidate Arntzen has with the GOP candidate for governor, Greg Gianforte. They have been collaborating for some time. Candidate Gianforte has supported Arntzen financially in her previous bids to the Montana Legislature.

Her legislative records show she is weak in supporting public education, despite the fact she was a teacher. She is for diverting public tax money for charter schools and voucher programs. She voted against “Early Edge” and is against providing funding for students past age 18.

Candidate Gianforte is the founder and financial supporter of the conservative Christian “Montana Family Foundation.” They have generously given millions of dollars to a variety of programs in educational systems. If GOP candidate Arntzen and GOP candidate Gianforte are elected, the agenda of the “Montana Family Foundation” will likely have fingers in Montana’s public schools.

Potentially, we could see the current science curriculum attacked, creationism taught and the social environment in the classroom for diversification jeopardized. Text-book selection, open enrollment and special activities could also be jeopardized. One of the unwritten goals of the “Montana Family Foundation” is to elect public officials who will support their agenda in Montana communities. 

Vote to elect the Democratic candidate, Melissa Romano, for superintendent of public instruction, so we can be assured the Montana education system will remain a progressive, public education system, with high ratings for all students in Montana. —JoLynn Yenne, Bigfork