Members of the Montana Federation of Public Employees, the union representing over 12,500 education professionals, issued a formal complaint to the Office of Public Instruction regarding recent reductions in office space and mandated remote work for most employees.

Specifically, the letter references decisions by the education agency to consolidate office space on the premise that it cuts costs and enhances flexibility. In the letter sent to OPI, MFPE claims it was not informed of the decision nor was it offered the opportunity to provide feedback.

“Vacating the private lease is a responsible use of precious taxpayer dollars that allow more resources to flow to our Montana students and schools,” Arntzen said in a statement in 2022. “My goal is to create a smaller and smarter government by allowing our employees to live in the communities they serve.”

Arntzen has made reducing spending a central point of her administration. Her critics say such measures, many of them dubious, only serve to hurt Montana educators and students.

“Because this property and this lease remain in the state inventory, there is no immediate cost savings to the state by the action being taken by the superintendent,” Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton.

Ravalli Republic: OPI employees send complaint about workplace policy changes