Secretary of State: $3 Million for Montana Public Schools

Missoula, MT ( KGVO-AM News ) - One of the ways that Montana's public schools are funded is through the actions of the State Land Board.

I spoke with Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen this week about recent Land Board decisions that have brought millions of dollars into the coffers of public education.

Nearly $3 Million for Public Education from One Oil and Gas Lease

"We just had our monthly State Land Board meeting, and we unanimously approved an oil and gas lease in eastern Montana," began Jacobsen. "There were three counties involved, and it produced almost $3 million for our public schools, which is just so great for Montana. Everybody wins in Montana, and we've got Montana energy being produced right within our own country, and as I said, it brought in $3 million for schools."

Jacobsen said the internet is providing new ways for interested parties to bid on producing energy on Montana's state lands.

Many of the Land Use Auctions Are Conducted Online

"It (the auction) was conducted on Energy Net, which is something that has recently been done by DNRC to allow for moving everything online," she said. "With that, we've got a historic oil and gas lease almost $3 million I think the last time we had anything near that was in 2012, so its just super great news for Montanans, for the energy industry and for the schools."

Jacobsen said the State Land Board is proud to assist in funding Montana's public education system.

"We are entrusted with generating revenue for our public schools in the state of Montana by administering the state lands, and I'm very proud of the votes that I've taken in the last four years to promote responsible natural resource development, a large volume of timber sales, a historic oil and gas lease," she said.

Jacobsen also touted other uses for Montana's public lands.

READ MORE: Montana Teachers Offered $500 Math and Reading Grants

A New Shooting Range has Been Proposed in the Gallatin Valley

"We are continuing to support shooting ranges on our public access lands," she said. "I just recently submitted comments to Fish Wildlife and Parks regarding a shooting range in Gallatin Valley, and we're proud of all of that work. Every month we at the land board meet and we make important decisions that affect all Montanans."