Put politics aside and vote O’Brien for OPI

Election Day is just around the corner in Montana. Like many people, I’m nearly exhausted from being inundated with campaign flyers, phone calls and what seems like a perpetual blitz of political commercials on television and ads on social media – unfortunately, mostly negative and attacking.

The 2024 election may prove to be historic and as it is in most elections, Nov. 5 will bring joy for some and disappointment for others.

As a former high school educator, working first as a teacher and coach in Glasgow, my hometown in eastern Montana, I’m especially focused on one particular state office during this election cycle. I now live in western Montana and have called Polson my home since 1995 even when attending college and working as an educator and physician in neighboring Washington and Oregon.

While there are many political issues, I’m mostly concerned about education, healthcare, agriculture and the economy in Montana, including affordable housing and the future of the next generation.

My letter is not only for the voters in Valley and Lake counties where I have laid down roots. I want to reach out to all registered voters in all 56 Montana counties.

First, I have long believed the Superintendent of the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) should be non-partisan. While so many things have become political and certainly there are reasons to have political parties with different views, education in Montana should not be a political in nature.

All Montana citizens should want what is best for children and partisan politics should not be allowed to filter into the classroom in any form. As a parent whose children attended homeschool, private and public school, I have seen the pros and cons of different educational systems and I understand the value of having proven leadership and accountability at all levels of education.

Poor leadership and no accountability impacts children and leads to public distrust and resentment by taxpayers.

Most would agree that our country is divided on many levels and too many important topics have already been politicized with extreme views. Our children’s future is in danger if we allow this to happen in education.

I believe at some point our elected leader at OPI and any person running for this office should be a non-partisan candidate. So, whether you are a Republican, Independent like myself, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party or other party member, please consider carefully when you cast your vote for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction.

My second request is for you to consider Shannon O’Brien, my friend of 30-plus years, who is running for Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction. If possible forget what party she is affiliated with during this election. Vote for the quality of the candidate and what experience she brings to the office.

I started my teaching career with Shannon O’Brien in a small Washington town over three decades ago. Interestingly she moved to Montana and has had an illustrious career as an educator, college administrator and senator in the state legislature.

Seldom do I endorse any political candidate but this race and office is so important I had to speak up. I remember Shannon’s passion for helping children succeed in the early 90s. She was always creating interest in her classroom and stimulating learning for all students from many different backgrounds.

Shannon’s core values around education remain the same still today. Simply put she cares for all Montana children and has a proven record for helping them succeed.

While we can’t change the OPI office requirements before the election, we can ignore the politics and vote for Shannon O’Brien for this important office.

– Chip Halverson

Polson