Gianforte Bankrolls Private Schools With Major Donations, Leaves Montana Public Schools High and Dry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 6, 2024

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gaby@montanademocrats.org

Helena, MT – New reporting from the Montana Free Press shows billionaire Governor Greg Gianforte dumped millions of dollars from the Gianforte Family Foundation to support unaccountable private, charter, and religious schools, while his administration leaves Montana public school kids, teachers, and educators high and dry.

Information from tax filings shows Gianforte donated more than $17 million to organizations pushing to redirect taxpayer-funded education dollars to private and charter schools that are exempt from the same levels of oversight as public schools. Meanwhile, Montana’s public schools are experiencing historic underfunding, budget cuts, and rampant teacher shortages under Gianforte’s administration's attacks on public education.

Gianforte also failed to work with the Republican supermajority in the Legislature to update the school funding formula to help address budget shortfalls so public schools get the adequate funding they need to operate.

“While Gianforte is shelling out his cash to organizations advocating for taxpayer-funded private and charter schools, Montana public school administrators are scrambling with budget cuts, layoffs, and potential school shutdowns,” said Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party Sheila Hogan. “Our public schools are in dire need of support and Gianforte’s administration is ignoring Montana kids, teachers, and educators and prioritizing private and charter religious schools that serve the wealthy.”

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