Finally, here are the candidates for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Democrats have a tightly contested race here.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Sam Kitzenberg, Democrat

Glasgow,MT

Campaign Information:http://www.samforsuperintendent.com/

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Claudette Morton – Democrat

Helena,MT

Campaign Information:http://claudettemorton.com

How does the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction impact the life of a young Montanan?

Of all Montanans, you are the most directly affected by the role of the Office of Public Instruction. OPI provides leadership to the public schools in curriculum,  instruction and assessment of all the subjects that are in our K-12 schools. It is this office( and the state board) that has decided what courses you need to take to graduate if you are in school. It is also this office that licenses your teachers and provides the guidelines for your school meals and your bus transportations. You can see that if you are currently in school, the Superintendent has a big impact of your life. If you are out of school, you may have young children or younger siblings who will be directly impacted.

If elected, what are your goals for serving the people ofMontana?

I believe that the best policies at the state level are the ones that work effectively in the classroom and school. I want to see that students learn how to think and solve problems creatively and critically, by encouraging a comprehensive education that includes the arts, humanities, health and career and technical education, as well as reading, mathematics and science. I also want to work with our government, businesses and colleges and universities to provide preparation for being able to live inMontanaor anywhere else you want.

 
Why is it important for young Montanans to get out and vote, and vote for you?

You are our future. We need your involvement in government and life inMontana.  Your voice matters inMontana. One of the most critical ways to begin that involvement is to vote.

I would like your vote on June 3, because I have been working with students, citizens and educators to solve problems. I believe I can bring educators and state leaders together to do that now.  My word has always been good.   I would like you to communicate with me and tell me what things you like or liked about your public school education and what things you would like changed.  You can e-mail me at morton4sopi.mt.net or go to my website at www.claudettemorton.com.

 SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Holly Raser

Missoula,MT

Campaign Information:http://hollyraser.org/

How does the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction impact the life of a young Montanan?

The Superintendent of Public Instruction impacts the lives of young Montanans more than any other elected official. More than at any time in our history, the education you receive determines the kind of life you are able to lead when you leave school. A young person growing up today cannot get a decent job without an education.

If elected, what are your goals for serving the people ofMontana?

1) I want every student, from the smallest school to the largest, to have access to instruction that both teaches the fundamentals as well as challenges their potential. The majority of our schools are doing this right now, but with unstable funding for schools, great programs that go beyond the basics get cut.

2) I want to target resources to our high-poverty communities. We continue to lose generations of students who drop out because their schools don't provide what they need to be successful. We need to make sure our students are not only successful while in school, but also to provide training and guidance to help them be successful when they leave school.

Why is it important for young Montanans to get out and vote, and vote for you?

The first part of the question is the most important. Young Montanans need to vote because this is their voice. We vote by the millions for American Idol because it's fun and empowering to impact the outcome. Voting for our state and country's leaders is even more empowering.

I hope young Montanans will vote for me because I'm connected toMontana's kids and schools. I'm aMissoulaelementary school teacher in my 27th year. I teach because I love it and I know what a difference good teachers can make in our students' lives. I'm also a legislator, and I know the difference good public policy can make in the lives of ordinary Montanans. I'm hoping for the opportunity to continue making a difference to young Montanans across the state as your next Superintendent of Public Instruction.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Denise Juneau – Democrat

Helena,MT

Campaign Information:http://www.juneauforkids.com/

My name is Denise Juneau and I am running for Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State ofMontana. Never heard of the Superintendent of Public Instruction? It is an elected position that exercises general oversight of the public K-12 education system. The Superintendent leads the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), an agency that provides services to public schools acrossMontana. 

The office of the Superintendent impacts the everyday school life of young Montanans in a significant way. Among many other things, the OPI licenses teachers, distributes funding, provides professional development to educators in many different areas, administers the statewide tests, evaluates and analyzes data, delivers curriculum services, helps to write the content standards that students have to meet, and works with higher education institutions. The OPI touches nearly everything that schools do, including the rules by which they must operate.

It is a very exciting time in our country and in our state to be politically involved. The Democratic Presidential race has brought an interest in our national future and we have seen many new, young, and energetic people become involved in the political process. All of this participation is great! However,it is also vitally important that voters become knowledgeable about the statewide, legislative, and local races as well. A recent Missoulian article talked about young first-time voters chomping at the bit to make their voices heard this election cycle. Jason Reynolds, when discussing his first-time vote, said that he “felt bummed [that he] didn’t know much about some of the other candidates,” referring to local and statewide races. He said that he was “spreading the word on not to do that.” His comment is very important during this Primary election and I hope that his friends and colleagues heed his advice. On June 3, an entire new slate of leaders will be selected to move into the General election. Your voice should be heard not only in the Presidential election, but also on these new statewide leaders.  Your vote matters across the board – in every race.

I have been working on my campaign for 14 months, and it is now nearing a very important milestone – the Primary Election. I have traveled all across our big sky state visiting with a lot of different people, including students, aboutMontana’s education system. When elected, I will work to revamp the No Child Left Behind law so our state and our schools have more flexibility to do their job of educating the whole student – including arts, music, civic education, financial education, and many other content areas that have been left behind because of NCLB. I will also work closely with the Governor and our Legislature to bring funding up to adequate levels so schools can once again be a vibrant place. I will work to ensure that all students leave our system with the ability to go out into the world to become whatever it is they dream of being and that the school system helps them to meet their full potential.

When elected, I will work toward having young people become much more involved in their education. There are many things that schools can do to ensure that young people are civically engaged, community-minded, and service oriented. It is vitally important for K-12 students to be aware of world events, understand historical incidents, and be globally connected. There are already many great things that schools are doing to bring a student voice to the table. I would like to help increase those voices. It is the important to our state that we have intelligent, capable, and competent students because they will become our future state, tribal, and national leaders. As Superintendent, I will wake up every day asking whether we are doing everything in our power to ensure that a quality education is being offered to allMontanastudents. 

I firmly believe in the power of public education and what it can do for individuals, our communities, and our state. I know what education has done for me. I am a Head Start graduate, a Browning high school graduate; I have a BA from MSU, a Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a law degree from theUniversityofMontana. I have been a classroom teacher, a judicial law clerk for the Montana Supreme Court, an associate attorney, and am currently a Division Administrator at the OPI. I know the people who work at the OPI and I know the services it provides. I have been in schools all across this state and have seen first-hand the challenges and successes of students and teachers. I can step into office on the first day understanding the roles and responsibilities of the OPI and how it can best serve the State ofMontana.

At the end of the day, it is the Superintendent’s job to ensure that a quality education is provided to ALLMontanastudents. It is imperative to believe in their brilliance, their creativity and their talents. I would be honored to serve the State ofMontanaas its next Superintendent of Public Instruction and I ask for your vote. 

Please check out my website for more information: www.juneauforkids.comand tell your friends and family to “Vote Juneau in June!”

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

Elaine Sollie Herman – Republican

Helena,MT

Campaign Information: http://hometown.aol.com/electelaine/