HELENA, Mont – Governor Greg Gianforte and State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen visited with students, teachers, and faculty members at Sacajawea Elementary School in Great Falls and Elder Grove School in Billings today to celebrate the signing of TEACH Act, which increases starting teacher pay and is critical to Montana’s Comeback Plan.

MTGOP Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement after the passage of this important priority:

“Governor Gianforte promised to change the fact that Montana’s starting teacher pay ranks near the very bottom of any state in the country, and because of the TEACH Act Montana’s talented young teachers will start to see higher and more competitive salaries,” said Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt. “The TEACH Act will help us attract and take care of our talented young teachers, and prepare the next generation of Montanans for the future. With Governor Gianforte and Superintendent Arntzen working together to provide starting teachers the pay that they deserve and safely get students back in the classroom, that future is brighter than ever before.”

The TEACH Act will strengthen the teacher workforce by increasing the starting pay for Montana educators and making Montana more competitive in recruitment of the best and brightest teachers. This Montana Comeback priority will help our students reach their full potential and build a stronger, brighter next generation of Montanans while also allowing us to keep more of our talented young teachers here in Montana.

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