Plains School Board gets full agenda

It was a full meeting for the Plains School Board last Monday, when several students were recognized for special feats and new school hires were approved, but the meeting began with a teacher rebuking a board member for allowing personal feelings to interfere with a school program.

Shop teacher Kyle Mitchell told the board that the school had the opportunity to hire Trista Brown at the October meeting to begin the SkillsUSA junior high chapter, but did not because of a "low turnout by the board members and the inability of one board member to set personal biases aside for the benefit of the students." Under the board's new business last week, the nomination for hiring Brown came up again and this time she was approved.

Mitchell told the board that two months ago, teacher Kristen Cole, Brown and he created a SkillsUSA program for junior high students. The program was supposed to begin in October, but it was put on hold because of the board's failure to approve Brown's position. "As a teacher, I work hard every day to provide my students with opportunities," said Mitchell, who heads the SkillsUSA program and said that he'd be very vocal when the board or the school takes opportunities away from students.

He added that it was "disheartening" that some board members would not put students first and as a result, the junior high students were a month behind in setting up a chapter. "On top of that, the students also missed out on the opportunity to attend the fall leadership conference in Kalispell that was held last week," he said. "I sincerely hope that this matter is settled at this board meeting, so that our junior high students don't miss out on all the opportunities that SkillsUSA can provide them for their futures."

The four present board members unanimously approved hiring Brown, along with Liam Purcell, who will also be with the program. Before the vote, students spoke up on behalf of Brown. "Trista Brown for the last three years that I've been here has really helped with SkillsUSA as a volunteer and she's also done lots of background stuff that you really don't see like helping with fundraising, and she's just put a lot of time and work into it and really has helped our program thrive," said senior Caleb Lakko. Mackenzie Tulloch and Ireland Corbin also praised Brown for her help with the high school SkillsUSA program. That was followed by applause from the crowd.

Nearly 50 people attended the school board meeting, held in the school library, where several students were recognized, including Tulloch, a senior, and Corbin, a sophomore, both receiving the Skills USA Statesmen Award. "This award recognizes students who have demonstrated their leadership skills and have mastered certain requirements in leadership training. This is the highest individual honor a SkillsUSA member can earn at the state level," said Mitchell. Tulloch is the president of the SkillsUSA local chapter and Corbin is the club secretary. Last year, seven Plains students placed at SkillsUSA state competition. Mitchell said that a former Plains student was a three-time state champion.

The board approved several other new hires. Carla Kinzie and Amy Hill were hired as a paraprofessionals. The board approved the hiring of Shelby Jagelski and retired Plains Elementary School teacher Denise Montgomery as substitute teachers. Members also approved the resignation of paraprofessional Lynn Felstet.

Board members Beau French, Ellen Childress and Monica Weedeman voted in favor of a gate fee for junior high volleyball and basketball jamboree games. Lana Dicken voted no. The gate fee will be $2 for students and children and $3 for adults. The games were free in the past, but it was decided to charge a fee because the school now has to pay for MOA referees. In the past, locals have volunteered to serve as referees, but the local referee pool has been exhausted, said Mike Cole, the high school gym teacher and former athletic director.

The board unanimously approved the Montana Digital Academy policy, where students are allowed to enroll in MTDA classes, made possible with a $27,000 Montana Advanced Opportunities Grant. Students must initially pay for a class, but are reimbursed when they successfully complete the class, said Heidii Fettinger, the high school principal\.

"I know how hard budgets can be, so as a community member I would encourage you to consider a levy to be put out this next year. I think funds are going to continue to be challenging and would love to help any way I can," said Plains resident Brian Meaden during public participation.

During the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Walsh announced that they submitted a grant request for $288,000 for the gymnasium roof and solar panels. She talked about Project Aware, a mental health program that would involve a team of professionals that would come to the school and work with students from seventh grade to seniors, parents and teachers. She also announced that the school will be participating in various segments on the Clark Fork River Radio Station called the Voices of H&T, beginning with Russell Kujula on the topic of sportsmanship.

Principal Kevin Meredith reported that enrollment numbers for kindergarten through seniors were down, dropping to 397 this month. He said it's the first time in a long time that the number had dropped below 400. He also said that they are averaging 25-40 elementary students in the after-school program on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. New this year is the school bus service dropping kids off in town, which is paid for through a grant.

At a special board meeting on Nov. 11, the board hired WIPFLI as the school auditor. The board voted to cancel the Dec. 16 school board meeting. The next regular board meeting will be Monday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.