Montana Catholic Schools Weekly
November 9, 2015
School Choice
The Montana Catholic Conference believes the definition of “qualified education provider,” as proposed, unjustly and improperly excludes from participation parents and others who, following the enactment of Senate Bill 410, wish to obtain a tax credit by contributing to student scholarship organizations that provide scholarships to students who choose to attend Catholic or other religiously affiliated schools.
Catholic schools have a rich and enduring history in the state. Currently there are 24 Catholic schools in Montana from Billings to Browning, Missoula to Hays and large and small communities in between. Our combined pre-k through 12 student enrollment is 3,840 students. To provide some perspective, those enrollment numbers together represent the seventh largest school district in the state.
Additionally, 47% of our Catholic school students are not Catholic. Over 23% of our students are Native American, most of whom attend one of our five Indian schools. And, notably, over 30% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Catholic schools have a demonstrated commitment to provide the highest quality education to all who desire a Catholic school education, particularly those on the margins of society. That is the proud history of Catholic schools and it is central to their mission and purpose.
Many Montanans, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, recognize the commitment to excellence reflected in our Catholic schools and the great value they provide to our state. Our students pay tuition, but if a student or family cannot pay all or part of the tuition we provide scholarships to help them attend our schools. For some, particularly those of less financial means, a Catholic school education would not be possible without scholarships.
Not every student does well in public school, nor does every student do well in private school. However, for some who may do better in a Catholic school but lack sufficient funds to make that a reality, that hope and opportunity to thrive remains only a dream.
The very modest tax credit authorized with the enactment of Senate Bill 410 could help open doors to Catholic schooling for students whose families would otherwise be unable to afford such. Parents and others who wish to help students attend religiously affiliated schools by contributing to student scholarship organizations shouldn’t be discriminated against simply because the scholarships will be used for attendance at a Catholic or other religiously affiliated school.
The Montana Catholic Conference urges the Department to reconsider the proposed New Rule I and modify it to include religiously affiliated schools within the definition of “qualified education provider.” Doing so will benefit students and families who choose Catholic schooling, particularly those who might do better in such a school but struggle to afford it.
Classrooms of the Future
De La Salle High
Matt Brower
The Week Ahead
Tuesday: Regional Principal meeting (Kalispell)
Wednesday: De La Salle Blackfeet School (Browning)
Thursday: Regional Principal meeting (Great Falls Central Catholic HS)
Friday: office (Helena)
This week: 781 miles
Last week: 75 driving miles/ 1,434 air miles
2015-16: 8,617 driving miles/ 5,184 air miles
Montana Catholic Schools
Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: www.montanacatholicschools.org
Location: PO Box 1708 Helena MT 50601
Phone: (406) 442-5761
Twitter: @mtcathschools
For Principals
- For the regional principal meetings, I will be posting my Slide Show and links to the Principal Portal. Look for them to be up by Tuesday. The dates and locations of the meetings: Nov 10th @ St. Matt's (Kalispell), Nov 12th @ Central Catholic HS (Great Falls), and Nov 18th @ Billings Central Schools Admin offices.
- We have scheduled a NWEA (MAP testing) teleconference on Nov 19th at 3 pm. I will send out the link next week.
- To all DOH principals--Please insure that all faculty & staff are staying current with VIRTUS requirements.
- To all GFB principals--please make sure you have a LIFE trainer prepared to teach the students.