Greetings Families,
Happy spring! The board of trustees met on Monday, March 18th, for regular business, including the approval of minutes and expenditures and the second reading of updated policies.
Superintendent Price reported that the Integrated Strategic Action Plan Development Team met and developed three goals:
(1) By the end of the 2024-2025 school year, each grade level will increase the number of students
who demonstrate proficiency in Math by 10% as measured by the STAR Assessments;
(2) By the end of the 2024-2025 school year the number of students meeting the 95% attendance
benchmark will increase by 10%; and
(3) By the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year staff will be surveyed regarding what keeps them here or makes them want to leave.
There will be an opportunity for further parent feedback as the district also develops a “graduate profile” in the coming months.
Principal’s reports highlighted the busy days at each school as we enter the home stretch of the academic year. Special congratulations are in order for SMS teacher, Mr. Bryan, who was awarded a $1500 Grant for Tech Club supplies from the Gianforte Family Foundation. He is planning to start a Robotics Team next year! LES had a fabulous Dr. Suess week, and I am confident that the talent show on Friday was a special treat!
Trustees approved the consent agenda. It included final documentation for the OPI on how the district used ESSER funding for several purchases in the past three years. It also acknowledged the resignations of three staff members. Educational aides, Ms. Hellyer and Mr. Morin, are leaving the Flathead Valley due to the increased cost of living and will be pursuing other ventures. SMS teacher, Ms. Sweet, will also be leaving education and exploring new opportunities. We wish them all the best. We are grateful for the time they have invested in supporting the students!
Next year, we will be welcoming our LES roving sub, Mrs. Halverson, to the second-grade team!
The 2024/2025 school calendar and three out-of-district students were approved for continued enrollment in our district. The board also approved the “SB 307 Resolution of Intent to Impose an Increase in Permissive Levies”. This is a standard procedure and happens annually. These numbers will be published in the newspaper and feedback is welcomed. It is not a levy that requires a formal community vote because it is part of the funding formula and below the necessary monetary threshold. Final approval will happen at the August board meeting. The estimated impact on a $200,000 home would be $5.55 annually. The increase in levies is to provide funding for the rise in transportation costs and to support special education and out-of-district services for our students.
Spring coaching contracts were approved. Thank you to our track, cross country, and drama coaches: Ms. White, Mr. Bryan, Ms. Larson, Mr. White, Ms. Hellyer, Mr. Morin, Mr. Duval, Mrs. Kilduff, and Ms. Loudermilk.
Thank you to everyone who supported the PTA-sponsored Missoula Children’s Theater production of Hercules. Please be sure to get involved with teacher appreciation planning! The team would love your support. Reach out to the PTA at pta@somersdist29.org.
Have a wonderful spring break!
Jesica Swanson