[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6662086,"mediaKeyId","2399720-cca4be5d91858bb732991bcdf4f28445","parentId",2399720,"title","Missoula trustees hear work session on MCPS systems of support, mental‑health screening and building safety","audioSeconds",3443,"startMs",1758000,"endMs",5201000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399720-cca4be5d91858bb732991bcdf4f28445&start=1758&end=5201","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399720-cca4be5d91858bb732991bcdf4f28445/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6662086/Montana/Missoula-trustees-hear-work-session-on-MCPS-systems-of-support-mentalhealth-screening-and-building-safety","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662086-329e07d2c1523d61da54f0a0f931036c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775718456&Signature=UZd0JFETFkOA0zcdutepI7sWiy0y3bG3MBvQQZc910gaycqHnAcjS0j1IdAA-02JwGKFmizZymZUn2CriYeVAVYcvYZd07Dmd-nXcCjaaGep0E0l7fGkVrQNAQNsgHx-rkPm2p4Ru9S4t0NrInOUfZnaViYisJEIOjyqWSXZosxGyqdxPKQkuVww4ggdKVvjL8IVLbJAimqrKiLGZW5QNc5SMVRAtuPSnKKRka7tMM-8a8dE6mVcEEIW56Aov1TZI7EDPt-Ogrr2-POB6fKFYlThEubg1lY35GHgLaVfD2AVMcaUpIMa978lT1tuvEuF4szQLLYl-uHXmIGo9azsVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missoula Elem","date","2025-02-26T16:34:38.647Z","article","Missoula County Public Schools trustees received an information‑only work session on district systems of support, mental‑health screening and school safety measures, including new screening partnerships and districtwide safety practices.

Superintendent Hill introduced a district team that described a tiered multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS) for whole‑child wellness, the district’s community partnerships and several new or expanded interventions. \"These systems of support are essential components of a healthy and strong education system,\" said Assistant Superintendent Binney (\"Benny\") Jamona, who led the presentation.

Staff described tier 1 as universal, schoolwide supports; tier 2 as targeted small‑group interventions; and tier 3 as individualized supports, which may include special education or therapeutic services. Presenters said research benchmarks the distribution of students roughly as 70–80 percent tier 1, 15–20 percent tier 2 and 5–10 percent tier 3, and they noted COVID‑era increases in demand for tier 2 and 3 interventions.

District staff explained screening and clinical partnerships. The district is piloting a computerized mental‑health screener (combining elements of the Columbia suicide screener and depression/anxiety screening) with the Rural Behavioral Health Institute (RBHI). Staff said RBHI can provide same‑day online therapist assessments for students who screen with recent suicidality and that RBHI offers bridge care and case‑management supports to connect families to ongoing services, including assistance when community providers are unavailable.

\"We can have students meet online with a therapist the same day,\" said Erica Zins (student services leadership), describing a pilot day in which 78 seventh graders were screened, eight students scored in the high‑risk (\"red\") range, and six received same‑day therapeutic contacts with summaries and safety plans sent to families.

Staff also described the district’s partnership with Providence’s youth crisis diversion program, which provides mobile therapeutic response and case management to avert ER visits and formal citations. Presenters cited a reported nearly 20 percent reduction in citations among participating students after the program expanded.

District safety and prevention steps discussed included implementing I Love You Guys standard response language to replace inconsistent lockdown terminology, training school staff districtwide, conducting building and facility audits, and expanding communications tools. The district rolled out a Safer Montana tip line to collect anonymous or named reports of concerning behavior; staff said roughly 40 reports have been processed during the school year and that the system routes reports to the relevant building and to district safety staff for triage.

Presenters described school‑based supports and community partners: Partnership Health Center (school‑based health services), Missoula Food Bank (in‑school pantries), Boys & Girls Club (after‑school programs), University of Montana partnerships, and a local \"play specialists\" program with Missoula Parks and Recreation to support Title I early literacy classrooms and after‑school care.

Trustees questioned staffing and equity across school levels, including which schools have on‑site social workers, the structure of CSCT (Children’s Special Services/Community Support Teams) and how state funding changes affected services. Staff said CSCT billing and staffing changes since COVID reduced the service window in some schools and that filling therapist positions remains difficult.

Trustees also asked how the district measures progress. Staff cited several data points used to assess system health: universal screening results, office discipline referral counts, threat assessments, crisis response counts, suicide‑screener volumes, and school climate survey results (student, staff and family surveys). Staff recommended tracking these indicators year to year to measure whether tier distributions and climate metrics improve.

On technology and facility safety, district staff said camera systems, controlled main entrances and routine audits are part of facility improvements but cautioned that technology alone is not a substitute for trained adults and consistent response plans. \"What you're trying to do is train the adults, not the technology, to react in the manner that will reduce the greatest amount of harm,\" said one district leader.

The presentation was information only; no board action was taken.

Ending

Trustees thanked staff and acknowledged the breadth of services and community partnerships. Staff said they plan to continue piloting the mental‑health screener, expand training and report back to the board with progress metrics in future sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MCPS Board of Trustees Meeting February 25 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent and district staff reviewed multi‑tiered systems of support, mental‑health screening pilots with Rural Behavioral Health Institute, partnerships for crisis response and new district safety practices including the Safer Montana tip line and I Love You Guys standard response training.","taxTitle","Missoula Elem, School Districts, Montana","taxId",38287,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6662091,"Missoula trustees unanimously approve grant application to start girls flag football pilot",319,763000,1082000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2399720-cca4be5d91858bb732991bcdf4f28445&start=763&end=1082","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2399720-cca4be5d91858bb732991bcdf4f28445/thumbnail_763000.jpg","/articles/6662091/Montana/Missoula-trustees-unanimously-approve-grant-application-to-start-girls-flag-football-pilot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662091-e846f59e7b8165a40a1c49f5d30512f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775718456&Signature=EwX7wL8Yh1rJfIJQ3JrGqwU2D~oKEMOmaDGzUgTAY5Zj6u9LkumNGP2xTXRTZ3nMp2AUfwaDfB3s3teIRujfMiWyUv1oeBKweFb8e~GxAwml6mmsMH5~zwsWmhEtj2KCWwVZVD~IN5Po1C41xELiUeoLJ4tM6WSy--uZ9~2YczD7GROja9P6aNzOLhX~Bcdm6D~uphSaAn23gycA6Z8q12fCYQOKcJjERaueUDydMaEOc6b~q6UvdtJX84rVTX8gA6cLg71nGdb2UnjGfj483zPeS7kHOb19tWUPf6OMTDprZp-LwJLNwj25ZOG8UGkfO-PEnYYtij0OoEGM1i~EnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula County Public Schools trustees voted unanimously to approve submitting a grant application to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation that would fund a three‑year pilot of girls flag football at three Missoula high schools.

Assistant Superintendent Shattuck introduced the item and turned the presentation over to activities directors from the district. \"This is a pretty neat opportunity to add girls' flag football,\" said Nick Latch, activities director at Hellgate High School, adding that Montana currently participates in pilot programs and that the sport is gaining national attention.

The district presented enrollment survey results showing strong student interest: Sentinel High School reported roughly 52 students who expressed interest after an official survey, and Big Sky High School reported more than 36 interested students. Jack Youngs, activities director at Big Sky, said his school also has campus space and potential coaches available.

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation would offer a three‑year grant of $45,000 per school phased as $20,000 in year one, $15,000 in year two and $10,000 in year three, the presenters said. District staff provided a conservative per‑school budget example that included coach stipends, officials, equipment and transportation; presenters said transportation costs could be shared across the three schools and estimated substantially lower per‑school transportation if trips are coordinated for jamboree‑style competition.

\"Last year 17 Montana high schools participated,\" Latch said, describing the district's opportunity to join a growing statewide program. He added that the National Federation of State High School Associations will publish rules and that the Montana High School Association currently recognizes girls flag football as an emerging sport.

Trustees asked whether participation would reduce numbers in other fall girls sports and whether small schools such as Seeley‑Swan (noted in questions) could participate. Josh Jonish, activities director at Sentinel, said about 80 percent of students who signed interest cards were not participating in a fall sport, and that adding a short season (about six to seven weeks, roughly Aug. 15–Oct. 4) could increase overall participation rather than pull athletes from established teams. Regarding Seeley‑Swan, district staff said small enrollment (about 85 students) could limit feasibility and that interscholastic eligibility and affiliation questions would be decided with the Montana High School Association.

Trustee questions about finances focused on the district’s carryover after the three‑year grant. Presenters said first‑year equipment purchases would be a one‑time cost, later reduced by reuse, and that shared transportation could lower the district's estimated per‑school transportation cost from $10,000 to about $3,300 in practice. Presenters said the Atlanta Falcons/Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation representatives indicated continuing interest and support beyond the initial three‑year grant and that other Montana districts have reported actual costs below early estimates.

Moved by Vice Chair Gares and seconded by Trustee Wake, the motion to approve submission of the grant application passed by unanimous voice/hand vote of the trustees present.

District staff said if the grant application is successful, the next step would be adding girls flag football as a pilot sport under the Montana High School Association and developing operational details (schedules, coach stipends, transportation plans) for the three schools.

The trustees and staff characterized the decision as approval to apply and, if the grant is awarded, to pilot the sport; no final commitment to program offerings beyond the grant‑award step was recorded in the meeting.

Ending

Trustees offered congratulatory remarks after the vote; the board recorded the motion as unanimous and moved on to the next agenda item. The district will return to the board with implementation details if the grant is awarded.","Missoula County Public Schools trustees voted unanimously to approve submitting a three-year Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation grant application to pilot girls flag football at three high schools, with athletic directors saying initial student interest and foundation support make the program feasible.","actionData","errors"]

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Missoula trustees hear work session on MCPS systems of support, mental‑health screening and building safety

Missoula trustees unanimously approve grant application to start girls flag football pilot