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Montana School Boards Association leaving national group – Arntzen tells mask opponents to run for school board

November 3, 2021 /

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Arntzen visits Missoula for parental rights discussion

“What is it you said about what to do with these two superintendents?” Gehl asked Rhoades. He did not specify which two superintendents he was speaking about.

“Shoot ‘em?” Quentin Rhoades, a local lawyer with Rhoades Siefert & Erickson replied, prompting laughter from the audience.

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Follow Up Response:

Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Condemns Comments of Violence

HELENA – I condemn any statements or actions of violence regardless of the context. Others’ individual comments made during the Parental Rights event in Missoula on November 1, 2021, at the Crosspoint Community Church were egregious. These types of comments serve no purpose in championing parent voice in our public education arena. I was unaware of the comments made after I spoke as I had moved to the hallway to take individual questions. I learned of these comments from a Tuesday, November 2, 2021, article in the Helena Independent Record. I have reached out to specific superintendents in the Missoula area to express my disdain for these comments made at an event in which I was the first speaker.

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Target Range SD Superintendent sends message to staff after threat from attorney

In the school environment we take all threats seriously, and I take this one seriously. I am in the process of making a formal complaint with law enforcement and the Missoula County Attorney’s Office.

Target Range School District Superintendent Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt

Montana School Boards Association leaving national group – Arntzen tells mask opponents to run for school board

The National School Boards Association in September asked President Joe Biden for federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with increasing threats of violence and intimidation over coronavirus requirements at schools.

The Montana organization opposed that request and said most local issues can be handled by local law enforcement.

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Justice Department Addresses Violent Threats Against School Officials and Teachers

Citing an increase in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school board members, teachers and workers in our nation’s public schools, today Attorney General Merrick B. Garland directed the FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to meet in the next 30 days with federal, state, Tribal, territorial and local law enforcement leaders to discuss strategies for addressing this disturbing trend. These sessions will open dedicated lines of communication for threat reporting, assessment and response by law enforcement.

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In Missoula, Arntzen tells mask opponents to run for school board

“This is a magical year in Missoula County Public Schools. There are six board positions open for election this year,” Gehl said. “To do that will change the matrix of this board. You can’t remove them. It’s impossible. But six positions are open this year. That’s how we’re going to beat this.”

“U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Montana Superintendent Elsie Arntzen today issued the following statements after the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) announced its decision to end Montana’s membership with the National School Boards Association (NSBA) at the end of the current contract. The membership is set to expire in June 2022.

“Montana parents have made their voice heard loud and clear! I’m very glad to see the Montana School Boards Association stand up for Montana parents and students. We must always empower our parents, not silence them,” Daines said.

“I am grateful that our Montana School Boards Association heard the voices from our Montana parents for more engagement at the local level,” said Arntzen. “I look forward to working together to bring attention to the values of the unique communities that public education serves, as we work together to put our Montana students and families first.”

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