20-4-502. Definitions. For purposes of this part, unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

Terms Used In Montana Code 20-4-502

  • Board of public education: means the board created by Article X, section 9, subsection (3), of the Montana constitution and 2-15-1507. See Montana Code 20-1-101
  • district: means the territory, regardless of county boundaries, organized under the provisions of this title to provide public educational services under the jurisdiction of the trustees prescribed by this title. See Montana Code 20-6-101
  • school: means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. See Montana Code 20-6-501
  • Superintendent of public instruction: means that state government official designated as a member of the executive branch by the Montana constitution. See Montana Code 20-1-101

(1)”Education cooperative” means a cooperative of Montana public schools as described in 20-7-451.

(2)”Educational loans” means all loans made pursuant to a federal loan program, except federal parent loans for undergraduate students (PLUS) loans, as provided in 20 U.S.C. §§ 1078-2.

(3)”Federal loan program” means educational loans authorized by 20 U.S.C. § 1071, et seq., 20 U.S.C. § 1087a, et seq., and 20 U.S.C. § 1087aa, et seq.

(4)”Impacted school” means:

(a)a special education cooperative;

(b)the Montana school for the deaf and blind, as described in 20-8-101;

(c)the Montana youth challenge program, as established in 10-1-1401;

(d)a correctional facility, as defined in 41-5-103;

(e)a public school located on an Indian reservation; and

(f)a public school that, driving at a reasonable speed for the road surface, is located more than 20 minutes from a Montana city with a population greater than 15,000 based on the most recent federal decennial census.

(5)(a) “Quality educator” means a full-time equivalent educator, as reported to the superintendent of public instruction for accreditation purposes in the current school year, who:

(i)holds a valid certificate under the provisions of 20-4-106 and is employed by an entity listed in subsection (5)(b) in a position that requires an educator license in accordance with administrative rules adopted by the board of public education; or

(ii)is a licensed professional under 37-8-405, 37-8-415, 37-11-301, 37-15-301, 37-17-302, 37-24-301, 37-25-302, 37-39-308, 37-39-309, or 37-39-311 and is employed by an entity listed in subsection (5)(b) to provide services to students.

(b)For purposes of subsection (5)(a), an entity means:

(i)a school district;

(ii)an education cooperative;

(iii)the Montana school for the deaf and blind, as described in 20-8-101;

(iv)the Montana youth challenge program; and

(v)a correctional facility, as defined in 41-5-103.

(6)”School district” means a public school district, as provided in 20-6-101 and 20-6-701.