Missoula educators advocate for Connect Academy and additional teacher at Chief Charlotte

During the MCPS Board of Trustees meeting on June 10, 2025, a passionate plea was made for increased support for Connect Academy, Missoula's online charter school, highlighting its unique educational model. A speaker emphasized the importance of recognizing Connect Academy as a vital part of the Missoula high school landscape, alongside more traditional institutions like Hellgate and Big Sky. The speaker, who has firsthand experience teaching at the Missoula Online Academy, advocated for site visits to Connect and suggested inviting a Connect student to serve as a trustee next year, aiming to foster greater awareness and inclusion of online education in the district's decision-making processes.

In a related discussion, the need for an additional classroom teacher at Chief Charlotte Elementary was brought to the forefront. A school counselor presented compelling data showing that the school serves a high number of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), stressing that the current classroom sizes of 29 students each are unsustainable. The counselor argued that without additional staffing, the school struggles to implement effective support systems for students, leading to increased crises and challenges in the classroom. This request for a one-year strategic investment aims to stabilize the school's environment and improve support structures for students in need.

The discussions underscored the critical need for tailored educational support in Missoula schools, with a focus on both innovative online learning and the pressing requirements of traditional classroom settings. The board's response to these requests could significantly impact the educational landscape in the district, shaping how resources are allocated to meet the diverse needs of students.