Revise teacher stipends for national board certification

State stipends for National Board teachers

Beginning with school years that start on or after July 1, 2025, Montana pays annual stipends to full-time teachers who hold a current National Board certificate. Eligible staff include classroom teachers, librarians, and other full-time employees in National Board–assessed roles who are Montana-certified and employed by a public school district, an education cooperative, the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, or a correctional facility. The stipend equals 50% of the state's quality educator payment for the year. It is 85% if your instructional assignment is in a school eligible for the federal Community Eligibility Provision or in an impacted school. You become eligible starting the school year that begins July 1 after you certify or recertify. The state covers most of the cost: for the 50% stipend, the state pays 50% of the stipend plus 1 percentage point for each 1% your district pays, up to 75%; for the 85% stipend, the state pays 55% plus 2 points per 1% district match, up to 85%. The superintendent sends payments to employers by March 1, and must seek more funds in the second year of the biennium if initial appropriations fall short. Districts are not required to pay a local match unless the state pays its share.