HELENA, Mont. – Last week, the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) voted to end their membership at the end of the current contract, which is set to expire at the end of next June.

“On behalf of the Montana Republican Party, I want to extend a huge thank you to the Montana School Boards Association for standing with Montana’s parents,” said Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt. “Parents have the right to hold school boards members accountable for their actions. I am grateful for Montana’s Republican leaders, and the Montana School Boards Association for supporting local engagement and the voices of Montana parents.”

In September, the National School Boards Association sent a letter to the Department of Justice labeling critics of mask mandates and critical race theory as “domestic terrorists.” Following the letter, Montana’s Republican leaders voiced strong support for parental rights and were quick to call for respect of local control. Since the letter was sent, 25 states have chosen to distance themselves from the National Association and create a new national organization that “values community ownership through school boards governance”.

Senator Steve Daines and Montana Superintendent Elsie Artnzen praised the MTSBA for their decision.

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