The New $100mil Bill To Fix Montana Education

A summary of the key information is provided at the bottom of the article.

BUTTE, MT - In a rare moment of political unity, the Montana Legislature has quietly passed what may become one of the most transformative education investments in state history.

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It’s not a tax hike, and it’s not a federal grant.

It’s something far more targeted...something that could directly affect every classroom in the state and spark a teacher recruitment surge.

But what’s really inside the bill that’s making lawmakers from both parties cheer?

A Need No One Could Ignore

Montana has long ranked near the bottom nationally for starting teacher pay, and the consequences have become hard to ignore.

With young educators fleeing to neighboring states or abandoning the profession altogether, schools have been left scrambling to fill critical roles.

Substitute teachers, long-term vacancies, and stretched-thin staff have become the norm in districts both urban and rural.

And then came an idea: a $100 million idea.

Whispers of the STARS Begin

Behind the scenes, lawmakers began building support for something different: a bill designed not to throw money blindly at schools, but to strategically incentivize higher base salaries.

Quietly championed by House Appropriations Chair Llew Jones, a Republican from Conrad, and backed by a wide-ranging coalition of Republicans, Democrats, educators, and even Governor Greg Gianforte himself, the initiative was carefully crafted over months.

It would become known as the STARS Act—short for Supporting Teachers and Reinforcing Standards.

So, What Does the STARS Act Actually Do?

The bill—formally House Bill 252—sets aside $100 million from the state budget to help school districts boost starting teacher pay.

But it doesn’t just hand out money.

Instead, it provides tiered funding based on how closely a district’s entry-level salaries align with their average teacher pay. The closer the starting salary is to the average, the more money the district receives from the state.

Think of it as a matching program with a purpose: level the playing field for new teachers without punishing veteran ones.

But there’s more.

Bonus Benefits Buried in the Bill

The STARS Act goes beyond increasing salaries.

It also provides:

• Support for trades-based credentialing to grow career pathways.

• Expansion of dual-credit programs so high school students can earn college credit early.

• New local revenue tools for districts in high-cost areas to fund teacher housing—tackling one of the most overlooked reasons educators leave.

Bipartisan Applause and a Signature Away

In a political climate where education often divides, the STARS Act has done the unthinkable: unite.

The bill passed with bipartisan approval and is now on Governor Gianforte’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

Looking Ahead...

It’s not often that Montana makes national waves for its education system.

But with a sweeping, $100 million investment aimed at solving a teacher crisis from the ground up, the state just might be setting a new standard.

Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or simply someone who believes in the power of education, the STARS Act is about to shine a whole new light on Montana’s future.

Summary:

Montana has passed the STARS Act, a $100 million bipartisan education bill designed to raise starting teacher salaries and combat the state’s chronic teacher shortage.

The bill incentivizes school districts to boost entry-level pay by offering more funding to those that align starting salaries with average teacher wages.

It also includes funding for trades-based credentialing, dual-credit programs, and local options for teacher housing in high-cost areas.

With overwhelming legislative support, the bill now awaits Governor Greg Gianforte’s signature.