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HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen will save Montana taxpayers $259,775 between State Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 by consolidating the Office of Public Instruction’s (OPI) office buildings from two to one. In November 2022, the Superintendent announced that she was vacating the second of four previously rented office spaces. The 2022 move saved taxpayers $323,488 over three years. In total, the cost savings to taxpayers is $583,263. These savings were made possible through the implementation of an agency-wide telework policy. Currently, there are:

• 177 total agency employees

• 125 agency employees teleworking

• 70.6% of employees telework

• 24 Montana counties have teleworkers

“Every taxpayer dollar is precious and demands to be used in the most efficient and effective way,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Teleworking allows our staff to focus on their work with schools while not burdening their families. I am proud of the savings I have passed on to our taxpayers while better serving our Montana students and schools.”

Between September 21 and October 20, 2023, the OPI conducted a Fall Work Survey of both on-site and teleworking employees. The results showed:

• 93% of respondents agree that their work location allows them to serve our students and schools efficiently

• 92% of respondents’ productivity has increased by teleworking

• 92% of respondents feel informed and engaged with their unit’s activities and co-workers while teleworking

• 80% of respondents’ stress levels decreased by choosing to telework

• 47% of respondents choose to telework for a better work/life balance