I am running for school board again because Frenchtown has a great school and community - evidenced by our high graduation rate, test scores, Niche ratings, variety of programs offered, and Bronc pride! I have worked for OPI and UM, training and educating students with DeafBlindness, their families, and educators in schools across Montana. I currently work as a SLP-A. My two boys attended FTSD, and this was intentional. I am the guardian of a man with disabilities, a former FTSD student. The Board is legally and financially responsible, and we only supervise one employee, the Superintendent. Last year, the Board jeopardized our reputation, our standards, and the safety of ALL staff and students. This is not Frenchtown.
Funding is a significant issue. Aging facilities, property and liability insurance, repairs, and maintenance have exploded while stuck at a general fund budget from 2006. The Legislature passed several new bills that need to be implemented, and OPI is lacking in clarity. One example, with implementing the Early Literacy program, they actually defunded our rural district's early intervention programs - Transitional Kindergarten and Early Kindergarten. I believe a Board should advocate for students and staff, support progress, creativity, and the district's business, not impede it. Our role is governance, not management, and engaging the community with respectful and open dialogue. Listening to all sides only makes for sound decisions.
FTSD has always had a lean budget and has been financially sound even after Smurfit-Stone's bankruptcy. We employ the fewest administrators. We have not faced the financial "cliff" many other districts are facing because ESSER dollars have been spent and not renewed. We have decreased (decreased!) the number of mills assessed to our taxpayers in the last five years. We must fix leaking roofs, repair HVAC systems, and pay the property and liability insurance bill. It will come at the expense of student learning - non-essentials such as programs, activities, and sports. We only ask for help when we need it and that time is now. A community is only as strong as its school. Please vote! We are Frenchtown!
Candidate has not yet responded.
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I am running for school board because I recognize that the only way to effectively promote positive change is by being involved. I am an advocate for an educational setting that prioritizes collaboration, ensuring that every policy and decision is made with the students best interests at heart. I want to work towards a school district where unity, respect, and open communication is the bedrock of our efforts. I have experience navigating through school districts across the country as my husband served in the military. Serving and volunteering in different school districts has enriched me with a unique insight into that of various educational programs. I hope to be able to help bring unity to Frenchtown school district and to the community.
I am concerned that our community is loosing it's focus on the students. There has been a lot of contention that distracts from our true purpose. The safety and education of our students should be our focus.
I think our short term focus should be our infrastructure and the maintenance of our facilities. Long term I'd love to see pay increases for our staff and teachers.
Campaign Phone
406-550-7323
Although all my kids have graduated from Frenchtown, I now have grandchildren in the district. I previously served on the board from 2012 - 2022. Seven of those years I served as board chair. I've received awards from the MT School Board Association for the level of Trustee trainings I've attended. I would like to continue to put my training and experience to good use.
Immediate issues include a budget shortfall as a result of inflationary operations costs and an aging infrastructure. Other challenges include staff retention and student achievement - post Covid.
I need to better understand the district's preliminary 24-25 budget before we could strategically offer suggestions. Philosophically, I hate to balance a budget on the backs of the staff. That said, as in any budget, there are sacrifices in every area.
Campaign Phone
406-626-4012
I was a teacher and coach at Frenchtown School for 36 years, retiring 4 years ago. We moved to Frenchtown when our kids were going to start school because we fully enjoyed the community atmosphere and school reputation. Having lived here and been a part of the school community for more than 3 decades, I would like to carry on the excellence of the Frenchtown School District. Furthermore, I have two young grandchildren that live in the district, and I would like to help ensure that their experience at Frenchtown School is as great as my own kids’ experience. I feel that my experience serving on many committees within the school, as well as serving on the fire board will aid me in carrying out the duties of a school board member.
One of the most important issues currently facing the district is open and respectful communication between the board and community. I also feel that potential growth in the valley as subdivisions are added is an area that needs to be watched and planned for. Thirdly, teacher and staff turn-over is a concern and needs to be evaluated.
The district’s budget is largely controlled by funding at the state level. I feel that we need to be transparent on where the money is being used. We need to make every possible effort to spend the money in the best interest of the students.
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