MILES CITY, MONTANA:Miles Community College President Ron Slinger has been appointed to the Montana Board of Public Education by Governor Greg Gianforte. The board term will run until February 1, 2030.
The Governor’s Office made the official announcement on Tuesday of this week, along with other appointments on state boards and commissions including Fish and Wildlife, Human Rights, and Tax Appeal.
President Slinger has served as the college president since January of 2020, with a large background in leadership, finance, and K-12 partnerships for community colleges. Prior to his move to Miles City, President Slinger served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Strategic Partnerships, and Workforce Solutions at Red Rocks Community College in Colorado.
“I am very honored and humbled to be selected by Governor Gianforte to serve in this vital role,” stated Slinger. “In my opinion, there is nothing more important than providing the best education possible to all of Montana’s children.”
The Board of Public Education was created to exercise general supervision over the elementary and secondary schools of the state, according to the Montana state website. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor with statutes in place to ensure a variety of commission districts and political parties.
The Board works to improve Montana’s education system by promoting a safe learning environment and adopting accreditation standards to ensure they are contemporary and effective for improving the quality of education for all Montana students. Strategic goals also include fostering quality teaching and administration by coordinating recruitment and retention efforts for teachers, staff, and school leaders; fulfilling the statutory obligation to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind; and supporting the preparation of all Montana students for employment, post-secondary education, and civic life by working to support and expand pathways to career and life success through dual enrollment, internships, and work-based learning (Montana.gov).
“I look forward to participating in finding sensible and proactive solutions that benefit our children, our schools, and our communities.”
