A state commission that has spent more than a year examining Montana's public school funding formula is putting the finishing touches on its final report, and one of the legislators leading the effort says the work is laying the groundwork for a more thorough legislative debate to come.
"I think that what we have come up with once again is a good starting point — better than a starting point, it's provided the foundation for a more thorough analysis," said Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, who has been involved in the commission's work. The central question the group has been tasked with answering is whether the state is providing adequate funding for public education — a question with significant implications for Helena Public Schools and every other district in Montana.
The commission's work comes ahead of the 2027 legislative session, where school funding formulas are always among the most contested budget items. Montana's education funding system relies on a combination of state and local property tax revenue, and critics have long argued the formula leaves some districts — particularly those in rural areas or with declining enrollment — unable to adequately serve students.
For Helena, which operates one of the larger public school districts in the state, the commission's findings could directly influence how much state money flows to Helena Public Schools in the next biennium. The final report is expected to be released in the coming weeks, ahead of the legislative interim schedule.