Jon Rutt News Today

The inaugural meeting of Montana’s Community Choice School Commission on Monday was marked by the recent withdrawal of two of its members and a brief update on the court order

Two members were notably absent: Emily Hessler, a math teacher appointed by Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, and Gary Carlson, a former community college trustee appointed by Elsie Arntzen.

The inaugural meeting of Montana’s Community Choice School Commission Monday was marked by the recent withdrawal of two of its members and a brief update on the

Earlier this month, a district court judge temporarily stopped part of a “school choice” bill from taking effect, but a Montana Department of Justice lawyer said this week the order also identifies stumbling blocks that can be addressed.

While a lawsuit challenging a new state charter school program is still making its way through the courts, the commission that manages that program has been allowed to begin its work.

Montana’s new community choice school commission holds its inaugural meeting, even as the law creating it remains embattled in state court.