In recent years, Montana public schools have faced challenges with starting teacher salaries, a situation exacerbated by the pandemic. Inflation and housing costs have made it difficult for educators to begin their careers in the state. However, a new program from the 2025 Legislature has improved starting teacher pay and helped districts retain staff. This initiative, known as the “STARS” Act, has been widely adopted to support early-career teachers.
The STARS Act, formally known as House Bill 252, requires starting teacher salaries to be 62% of the district’s average salary. This adjustment allows new teachers to reach average salary levels more quickly. Prior to this, Montana ranked low nationally for starting-teacher salaries, lagging behind neighboring states. Teachers often needed second jobs to make ends meet, which made recruitment challenging.
Historically, Montana favored mid-career teachers, leaving new educators with low salaries. As a result, dissatisfied teachers left early, reducing advocacy for higher starting wages. The STARS Act aims to address this imbalance by providing funding based on salary benchmarks, encouraging districts to offer competitive starting pay.
Billings Public Schools, the state’s largest district, saw a reduction in teacher vacancies from 100 to 30 after implementing the program. Superintendent Erwin Garcia noted that while pay was a factor, student mental health and behavior also influenced teacher retention. The district has recorded increased incidents of students striking teachers, particularly in elementary schools.
Lance Melton, CEO of the Montana School Boards Association, highlighted that the program allows districts to adjust pay based on local costs of living. For instance, Kalispell increased its starting pay from 56% to about 62% of the average salary to retain staff. This flexibility helps districts like Bozeman or Missoula to address their specific financial landscapes.
Melton also pointed out that the declining number of school-aged children in Montana impacts funding, which is calculated per student. Despite a growing overall population, the percentage of school-aged children has decreased. This decline, coupled with inflation, challenges districts to maintain budgets without reducing resources.
The STARS program is seen as a critical step in ensuring competitive salaries and reducing teacher attrition. It balances state assistance with local control, allowing districts to tailor their approaches. Garcia emphasized that raising starting salaries is not just fair but necessary to counteract inflation’s impact on teachers’ quality of life.
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