The ‘Woke’ Conference Controversy in Montana
Montana Senate President Matt Regier, a Republican from Kalispell, has initiated the first legislative draft for the 2027 session, aimed at curbing what he terms ‘political agendas’ within teacher professional development conferences. This move comes after recordings from a Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) educator conference surfaced online, drawing sharp criticism from conservative lawmakers.
Supported by State Superintendent Susie Hedalen, Regier stated that the bill, provisionally titled ‘Revise education laws related to teacher training and education and meetings of teacher organisations,’ is designed to ensure that state tax dollars are allocated solely to instruction, not to promoting specific ideologies. As quoted by the News From The States, Regier emphasized, “We need to make sure that tax dollars aren’t going towards political agendas in our schools.”
Key Aspects of the Proposed Bill
This upcoming legislation seeks to significantly alter the existing regulations concerning ‘pupil-instruction-related’ (PIR) days. These are state-mandated school closures dedicated to teacher professional development. Currently, schools close for two days each October, during which educators participate in required training and conferences.
The recent MFPE educator conference, held in late October, hosted over 300 sessions and attracted nearly 1,000 educators from both public and private institutions, providing valuable professional development units (PDUs). The union proudly highlighted its diverse offerings, covering subjects like math, science, language, and art.
However, Regier and Hedalen raised concerns about a few specific sessions, alleging they promoted ‘radical gender ideology, DEI, nude child photography, and sexually explicit books.’ Regier cited audio recordings, reportedly from a conservative activist who attended ‘undercover,’ as proof of politically charged content. MFPE has countered these claims, arguing that the recordings lack crucial context and may have been obtained illegally. Amanda Curtis, the Union President, expressed her strong disagreement, stating, “They are outright lying about what happens at this conference, and I don’t really understand what good it’s serving Montana students,” as reported by the News From The States.
Educators and Union Defend Current Practices
The MFPE pointed out that its annual conference has been a long-standing tradition, running for over 30 years in collaboration with the Office of Public Instruction (OPI). Teachers at the conference had the autonomy to choose from a vast array of sessions, including topics such as ‘Dyslexia the Superpower,’ ‘Bring the stock market to life in your classroom,’ ‘Advancing proficiency in STEM: practical strategies with AI and Socratic dialogue,’ ‘Fostering curiosity in your classroom with live butterflies,’ and ‘Rockets in the science classroom, Grades 6-9,’ among many others focused on core subject instruction. The union underscored that attendance at any specific session was never compulsory.
The OPI also affirmed its stance against ‘partisan or ideological content’ in professional development. Nevertheless, it remains dedicated to providing a broad spectrum of high-quality training through its Summer Institute, Teacher Learning Hub, and various locally-initiated programs.
Potential Legislative and Fiscal Repercussions
If enacted, the proposed bill would transfer the authority over October PIR days from a state mandate to individual local school districts. This change would empower districts to decide whether to use these annual days for the MFPE conference or to opt for alternative training programs. Furthermore, the bill aims to bar sessions promoting ‘ideological’ or ‘political’ content from being eligible for federally mandated PDUs. Regier drew parallels to a previous attempt, House Bill 557, which failed in a Senate vote, indicating that this issue is poised to resurface in 2027.
Proponents of this legislative shift argue that it enhances accountability in how professional development time is utilized and safeguards taxpayer investments. Conversely, opponents contend that it risks hindering educators’ access to diverse professional learning opportunities, reduces local district flexibility, and unfairly labels legitimate training as ‘ideological.’
Weighing the Future of Montana’s Education
The 2027 bill underscores a critical tension within Montana’s educational framework. While lawmakers champion the initiative as a means to protect students and ensure responsible use of public funds for professional growth, educators and their unions argue that such restrictions could severely limit teachers’ ability to access and choose training that is vital for enhancing their skills and, ultimately, benefiting their students. As this proposed legislation progresses, Montana faces a pivotal decision: how to effectively maintain educational standards while upholding the professional autonomy and diverse learning opportunities essential for a thriving teaching community.