Melissa Romano for Montana

I’m incredibly honored to share that I’ve been elected as the next President of the Montana Federation of Public Employees.

This moment is about more than an election. It’s about the people who make our communities work every single day. Educators, school staff, public employees, and working families across Montana deserve strong voices and strong advocacy.

I’m grateful for the support, the conversations, and the belief in this vision. I’m ready to get to work building strong relationships, strengthening our public institutions, and making sure every voice is heard.

Montana works best when we work together! 💙

The MFPE Annual Conference is Montana’s largest democratic decision-making body. It is an opportunity for MFPE members to come together and reaffirm shared values.
As we get ready to come together April 10–11, I wanted to do something a little special. MFPE Delegates — I made something just for YOU!
I’ve created 8 handmade “Melissa for MFPE President” tote bags. Each one is made with care, and each one is meant to celebrate the incredible work YOU do every day as public employees and educators across Montana.
These totes are a small thank-you for showing up, for being engaged, and for helping shape the future of our union.
🎉 Here’s the fun part:
I’ll be giving all 8 away during conference weekend!
👉 To enter: (Must be attending the conference in Helena, April 10 and 11th)
* Sign up on my website, MelissaforMontana.com. Scroll to the middle of the page to enter your contact info.
* OR Find someone at the conference wearing a sticker with a QR code. Scan and enter information on my website.
* OR Comment to this post, "Tote."
I’ll RANDOMLY select 8 delegates attending the conference to receive a tote!
Strong unions are built by strong members, and that’s exactly what MFPE has.
Can’t wait to see many of you April 10–11!
💙 Melissa

👉 If you’re interested in my next adventure, you can read more here: MelissaforMontana.com

After more than 20 years in public education, and my time in the legislature, I’ve learned something that continues to guide me:
The strongest policies and the strongest unions are built from real stories.
Not just numbers on a page, but the experiences of public employees, educators, paraprofessionals, and school staff, who are doing the work every day.
Whether it’s a classroom challenge, a 15-cent raise, or the realities of staffing shortages, THOSE STORIES MATTER. And they should shape the decisions we make.
That’s the approach I bring to this work: listening first, building relationships, and making sure member voices are at the center of everything we do.
I’ve been sharing more about what that looks like in practice, both from my experience and where I believe we can go together.
Proud to stand with all of you doing this work across Montana.

Montana’s schools don’t run without paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, and office staff. Right now, too many of these essential school professionals are being pushed out because they can’t afford to stay.
That’s why the rESPect campaign matters!
The reality is stark. Many support staff are earning wages that aren’t livable, and too often, summer jobs pay more than the jobs our schools depend on.
I’m proud of the rESPect team members across Montana who are organizing, speaking up, and leading this work.
As I run for MFPE President, I believe this is the direction we must go:
Building member-led campaigns
Advocating for all school employees
Organizing for real improvements in pay and working conditions
If you’re part of this movement, thank you. And if you’re not yet—there’s a place for you in it.
➡➡➡Head to MelissaforMontana.com! Click on the "News" Tab and join the rESPect team!

MFPE Members — I Need Your Support!!!

If you’re an MFPE member, I’d love to have your endorsement as I run for MFPE President.

👉 Visit melissaformontana.com to:
* Sign up for updates being shared with delegates
* Stay informed on campaign priorities
* Add your name as an official endorsement or leave a comment on this post with "endorsement."

We’re adding new member endorsements every day (see below), and your voice matters in this campaign.

This is about building a stronger, more connected union led by members, for members.

Add your name today: melissaformontana.com

👏📢❗Big campaign update!

I’m excited to share that my campaign website for MFPE President just got a fresh update! 🎉

➡Check out MelissaforMontana.com

If you want to learn more about who I am, my leadership journey, and my vision for strengthening our union and supporting educators and public employees across Montana, I’d love for you to take a look.

This campaign is about listening to members, building relationships, and making sure every voice in our union is heard. I’m incredibly grateful for the encouragement and conversations happening all across Montana.

📢And if you’re an MFPE member, I would truly appreciate your support and sharing this with colleagues in your local. Together, we can build an even stronger union. 💪

I am running to be the next President of the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE).

Serving in the Montana Legislature has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I’m deeply grateful to the people of Montana who trusted me to represent our communities and advocate for strong public schools, working families, and the values that make our state special.

During my time there, I’ve worked to bring people together across differences to support policies that strengthen education and the public services our communities rely on.
Throughout my career as an educator, community connector, and legislator, one thing has remained clear: public employees are the backbone of Montana. Teachers, school staff, state workers, and local public employees keep our communities running and our future strong. MFPE plays a vital role in ensuring their voices are heard, their work is respected, and their rights are protected.

Running for MFPE President gives me the opportunity to continue serving Montana in a new way — by strengthening our union, building relationships across communities, and ensuring every member has a voice in the direction of our organization.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in the Legislature, and I’m excited about the opportunity to keep advocating for the people who serve Montana every day.
Thank you for your continued support. ❤️

Future Educators & School Districts - This Is a Game-Changer for Montana!!

Looking for a paid, supported pathway into teaching? Or a way to grow your own educators right in your community? Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship program does both.

Future educators can earn a paycheck while completing coursework, gain real classroom experience, and receive ongoing mentorship on the path to teacher licensure.

School districts can build a sustainable, local teacher pipeline—supporting paraprofessionals, community members, and career-changers while strengthening staffing stability and retention.
This is a win-win for Montana students, schools, and communities.

Learn more and explore how to get involved:

Teacher Registered Apprenticeship You are using an unsupported browser. Consider using Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. Certain elements of this website will not function properly.

Today’s court decision is a big deal for our public schools and for kids with disabilities.

A judge has struck down House Bill 393, the law that would have created “education savings accounts” for students with disabilities — ruling that the Legislature never properly appropriated funding for it.

As a teacher, a Montanan, and someone who believes deeply in equal opportunity for all our children, I’m proud this decision protects our public-school system and the principle that public dollars belong in public schools.

Court strikes down Education Savings Accounts for students with disabilities as unconstitutional • Daily Montanan A Lewis and Clark District Court Judge said that House Bill 393 which the Legislature created for Educational Savings Accounts for students with disabilities violates the state's constitution because it didn't properly fund the legislation.

I’m excited to invite you to a relaxed and meaningful evening with Helena-area legislators and candidates in support of MDLCC!

Come join us on Wednesday, November 12th at Ten Mile Creek Brewery from 5:30–7:30 PM. It’s a great chance to connect, chat about the issues that matter most to our community, and spend time with neighbors who care about the future of Montana.

Whether you stop by for a quick hello or stay the whole time, we’d LOVE to see you there. 💙

Sponsored by: Sen. Laura Smith, Sen. Janet Ellis, Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, Rep. Mary Caferro, Rep. Luke Muszkiewicz, and me, Rep. Melissa Romano.

Hope you can make it! 🍻

As a teacher and legislator, I see EVERY DAY how hunger impacts learning, behavior, and family stability.

Extraordinary circumstances demand that we do everything possible to continue food assistance for the 77,000 Montanans—especially children—who rely on SNAP benefits to meet basic needs. When students come to school hungry, it affects every part of their day and every part of their future.

At least eight other states have stepped up to keep food assistance going while Congress debates the federal budget. Here in Montana, Governor Gianforte has said he’s unwilling to use state funds to prevent a lapse in benefits. I believe our state can—and should—do better.

I encourage you to share your thoughts respectfully with the Governor at 📞 406-444-3111 or online at 🌐 governor.mt.gov/contact.

Ensuring that children and families have food on the table isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a Montana value. ❤️

With SNAP cuts looming, Gianforte says MT won’t pay to maintain food assistance benefits Around 77,000 Montanans will lose access to food assistance on Nov. 1 unless the federal government takes action or state dollars are used to foot the bill.