Yellowstone Times

Elsie Arntzen, superintendent of Public Instruction, was appointed to Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte’s COVID-19 Task Force, officials confirmed.

Arntzen, along with other incoming state officials, will assume their roles in the governor's new task force. Arntzen's priorities have been assisting students, families and educators through the COVID-19 crisis.

“I want to thank Gov.-elect Gianforte for ensuring that students and educators have a seat at the table," Arntzen said in a press release. "Schools have been one of the most impacted sectors by COVID-19. With the fall semester coming to a close and the spring semester just around the corner, the OPI will continue to ensure that local communities have the resources and information that they need to provide educational services to children. I appreciate that the new governor is bringing together fellow statewide elected officials to ensure that decision-making around COVID-19 is collaborative.”

Whitehall Schools Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said keeping staff and students safe while keeping schools open is a key goal for the task force. 

“Schools serve not only the critical function of educating students, they also play a vital role in the social-emotional wellbeing of our students," Nieskens said.