Elsie Arntzen

Commissioner Bruce Newell announced his immediate resignation on Wednesday, citing the turmoil in the Flathead County library system and his support for a citizens advocacy group.

Montana’s school superintendent is facing criticism from administrators of the state’s largest public school districts who say they’re "disappointed" in her leadership. They signed a letter last week detailing what they say is a chronic lack of administrative support from Arntzen’s Office of Public Instruction.

Montana’s largest public employees union helped launch a petition Wednesday condemning the state’s chief of public instruction. It’s the latest volley in a growing controversy over Elsie Arntzen’s leadership.

A group of Republican state lawmakers, school board trustees and citizens have signed a letter in support of Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. It follows a separate letter signed by the superintendents representing Montana’s eight AA school districts, which expressed disappointment in Arntzen’s leadership.

In a letter sent to state Superintendent Elsie Arntzen, the heads of Montana's eight AA school districts express "no confidence" in Arntzen's leadership at the Office of Public Instruction.

Arntzen told MTPR that her potential rule would seek exemptions for school policies to allow parents to make "responsible choices." She says the rule is needed because the "one-size-fits-all" model doesn’t work for all kids in school.

COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools are higher now than they were at the same time last year. On Wednesday, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services released its weekly report on the number of COVID-19 cases in K-12 schools.

Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office Tuesday announced a new emergency rule telling public school districts they should consider input from parents and provide exemptions when it comes to mask mandates. Public health experts say the rule undermines measures to keep kids safe in schools.

The U.S. education department has approved Montana’s spending plan for $127 million in federal pandemic aid to help K-12 schools adapt during the pandemic.

Montana school officials are grappling with new mask guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as COVID-19 cases rise ahead of the first day of classes. The state’s superintendent of public instruction is advocating for personal choice while public health experts push for mandates.