“Student achievement trails behind in critical areas and with the right leadership in education, we can put our schools and our kids on track to a brighter future,” said Welch. In the face of such bureaucratic frustrations, Welch said, “OPI must be refocused.” She said that the Office of Public Instruction must “partner with schools” and provide them with the resources and tools they need.
“As a former teacher and administrator I understand the issues,” said Welch, who has twenty years experience as a teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, and public education consultant. Welch spoke in favor of pursuing, to the greatest degree possible the “responsible development” of natural resources on school trust lands, to provide a greater revenue source for public schools in Montana. The State Superintendent of Schools is a member of the State Land Board which manages state-owned lands, including those dedicated to the support of public education.
Juneau generated considerable controversy, during her tenure, for her opposition to the development of natural resources on school trust lands. Welch noted that there is currently a gap between the funding that comes from trust lands and what is needed. The gap is filled by general fund revenues. She advocates that the level of production on state lands be increased to the level of filling that gap, as Wyoming has succeeded in doing. Not only would such a strategy unleash considerably more revenue for education, said Welch, the production would generate much needed jobs for Montana “kids who want to stay in Montana.”
Said Welch, “I think education in Montana is at a cross roads.”Ten years from now how students are tested and assessed will be very different. She voiced concern about state laws that stand in the way of those changes and impose unproductive costs upon the operation of schools.
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