School supports legal action

Citing the Montana Quality Education

Coalition’s return to legal action against the state, the Whitefish

School District Board last week approved renewal of its membership

with the group.

The Board approved paying $2,500 in

dues to MQEC.

MQEC organized the lawsuit that led to

the 2005 Montana Supreme Court ruling that said state funding of

public schools was unconstitutionally inadequate. The group’s board

voted last month to again file legal action to regain $8 million in

funding lost for public schools.

Though some trustees questioned whether

another lawsuit will bring resolution, the board unanimously

approved paying the fee.

Trustee Dave Fern said he felt torn

about filling another lawsuit.

“I appreciate the efforts and the goal

of MQEC,” Fern said. “It comes down to whether it is a smart

strategy to go back to court? For $2,500 I’m willing to take the

risk — it will probably do more good than bad.”

MQEC claims that the results of

language passed by the 2011 Legislature and a veto by Gov. Brian

Schweitzer will reduce state funding for schools by $8 million next

year. According to MQEC, the language that cut the funding goes

against state law to ensure that schools get an inflationary

increase in state funds.

Boardchair Pat Jarvi explained MQEC’s

position.

“Because the Legislature this year

didn’t follow the judge’s decision they feel they have a more

legitimate case to go back to court,” she told the board.

Last year the school board split on

renewal, but ultimately approved it.

Trustee Shannon Hanson voted against

renewal last year, but changed his vote this time.

At the time, Hanson said last week, he

didn’t think Whitefish needed MQEC serving as another lobbyist, but

with the new lawsuit the group appears to have “put their teeth

back in.”

In other action, the board:

• Approved a contract with Abeo School

Change for $40,500 for staff coaching and consulting services.

• Approved personnel items: Hiring of

Liz Hopkins, playground supervisor; Tuesday Rohrman, playground

supervisor; Barbara Kearns, high school lunch supervisor/ office

aide; and a leave request by Char Cordier.

• Approved three out-of-district

students to attend Whitefish schools.