Revise the definition of public school system and requirements of school funding formula

This bill updates Montana's school funding laws by revising the definition of a basic system of free quality public schools and establishing new requirements for how state funding is calculated and distributed. It directly affects Montana public school districts, the state legislature, and all students by mandating that funding formulas account for specific factors such as student needs, open enrollment transfers, and student achievement growth relative to funding increases. Key provisions require the legislature to consider elements like special needs students, American Indian cultural integration, teacher retention, and transparent reporting on how additional funding improves outcomes, while also ensuring the formula includes automatic annual inflation adjustments and equitable distribution across districts. The bill aims to create a more structured and accountable approach to school funding that reflects constitutional requirements for educational equality throughout the state.