Belgrade board approves tuition-repayment addendum for teacher's contract

The Belgrade School District Board approved an addendum to a teacher’s contract that would require repayment of district-funded tuition if the teacher voluntarily resigns within a prorated three-year period.

Board member (speaker 6) moved to approve the memorandum of understanding between the Belgrade Education Association and Belgrade School District 44 to add the provision to Stephanie Bishop’s contract, and the motion carried on a board vote announced as 5–1.

The board discussed how the repayment would work. Board member (speaker 2) asked whether the provision would be enforceable in Montana. Legal/HR representative (speaker 14) responded, “Yes. So our legal team drafted [it] enforceable.” When asked about the scale of the tuition, staff said the total was “about $25,000” and described a prorated repayment schedule that reduces the amount owed each year over three years.

Board members also asked whether the district would attempt to recoup funds by withholding final pay or pursuing legal action. Speaker 14 said a final paycheck would not cover the full amount and that the district would have to pursue recovery through legal channels if necessary.

No members of the public spoke during the item. The approved motion authorizes a contract addendum to Stephanie Bishop’s teaching contract that requires district reimbursement for tuition in the event of voluntary resignation; board members described the addendum as an enforceable contract provision under Montana law.

The board moved on to other business after the vote.