Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board moves 1 licensure revocation to hearing, issues reprimand after teacher contract hearing
Summary
The board voted to move a teacher‑licensure revocation referral to a contested‑case hearing and, after hearing a separate breach‑of‑contract case, issued a formal letter of reprimand to a teacher whose late resignation forced the district to hire an emergency replacement.
The Montana Board of Public Education took two licensure‑related actions on March 11: it ordered a contested‑case hearing for a superintendent‑filed revocation referral (case 2025‑01) and it issued a formal reprimand arising from a contested hearing about a teacher’s late resignation.
In the first matter, OPI attorneys asked the board to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to move the case to a July contested‑case hearing. OPI said its packet alleges professional misconduct that, if substantiated, could support revocation. After discussion the board voted to advance the matter to a full hearing in July 2025.
Later the board conducted a contested‑case hearing in a separate matter (case 2024‑09) brought by the Wolf Point School District and OPI, alleging substantial material nonperformance of an employment contract by a district teacher who resigned shortly before the 2024–25 school year. OPI presented witnesses and contract documentation the district said bore the teacher’s signature. The teacher disputed that the specific contract page carried his signature, raised concerns about the district’s recordkeeping and said he had filed a complaint earlier about systemic problems.
After testimony and closing arguments, the board voted to issue a letter of reprimand rather than suspend or revoke the teacher’s license. OPI staff confirmed this reprimand will be recorded in the national educator‑reporting system; the office will provide the board’s written decision and advise the teacher of appeal rights.
What’s next: The board scheduled the contested‑case hearing for the revocation referral in July; OPI will draft the written decision for the reprimand and make any required national report entries.
