Letter to the Editor: Bullock supports public schools

Editor,

As a retired teacher, I am deeply offended by the misinformation being mailed to Montanans by the out-of-state group Americans for Prosperity.

The mailer claims Gov. Steve Bullock turned his back on special needs children by vetoing HB 322.

HB 322 was a terrible bill. I’m glad Gov. Bullock vetoed it.

HB 322 would have pulled millions of dollars out of Montana’s public schools for the benefit of private schools. It applied not just to children with special needs, but to their siblings and children of military parents as well.

I have nothing against private schools. I just don’t think I should have to pay for them with my tax dollars, especially when there is no public accountability. HB 322 specifically said the private schools that received public funds wouldn’t have to meet standards of educational quality.

Gov. Bullock has been a champion for all our children, including those with special needs. One example: Montana’s public schools have struggled with insufficient funding for decades. Gov. Bullock secured a major funding increase for our schools – without raising taxes.

These critically needed funds help all Montana children. Unlike so many private schools (including Greg Gianforte’s Petra Academy) that pick and choose which students they admit, our public schools accept, cherish, and educate ALL children, including those with special needs.

Kristy Michael

Bozeman