As parents send their children into the new school year and teachers welcome them into the classroom, safety is on everyone’s mind. When it comes to student safety, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Montana schools take a comprehensive approach. Student safety is not just school security, it is also promoting mental health, multi-tiered systems of student support, and building infrastructure.

Student safety is a top priority at the OPI. That is why we have taken the lead to secure crucial federal and state resources that will directly assist schools in supporting their students d...