[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6166165,"mediaKeyId","5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682","parentId",5416044,"title","Board approves transportation, reserve funds, enterprise fund and lease; routine consent items pass unanimously","audioSeconds",373,"startMs",1727000,"endMs",2100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682&start=1727&end=2100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682/thumbnail_1727000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166165/Montana/Board-approves-transportation-reserve-funds-enterprise-fund-and-lease-routine-consent-items-pass-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166165-4b7febd379f6182f2fe09f27026c3f75/orig.mp4?Expires=1775325095&Signature=PKor7-QkU65r6kvGllo-knuEjFfa~JMf2eMzLww8KvOFsAWEeZt7mfiKee38KWtzL~Ry7YAmremVlpnKB0Tuy0w~lau5etO9wFUIj83m6ScxShEtJIShr-ER7g~GkefMo3cfwuA-R-xM1Rp6pLjZFL1KNRoBmXQ2pGhBVhHoB4rQIGFPfRIcN4ZGEGwOR6m68wHRz9dJ7j0yEUcbu8eIpj7X89JyUNAn7SXU4fwvLEcNQmG38WZpvlr6V4g7~SrfZdmera6kwgeHMOPOAkE8AxotJHrmRjjuY-3H64Bl9f9BwopqkP4TZYBHyBF69G5cZd09t85kqNdE1SOjjrMrUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missoula County Public Schools, MT","date","2025-07-18T04:09:03.117Z","article","At its July 15 meeting the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees approved several routine operational items on the consent agenda and new business.

Denise Williams presented a transportation agreement allowing Drummond School District to operate a safe school‑bus stop within MCPS boundaries; she said an interdistrict agreement is required by law for bus stops that cross district boundaries. Trustees moved and seconded the recommendation and approved it unanimously.

The board established bus depreciation reserve funds for both the elementary and high‑school districts to set aside funds for replacing buses; Williams said the reserves are funded permissively by levy and are intended to be used when buses go out of service.

Trustees also approved creation of an enterprise fund for the Schoolhouse Meats (meat lab) operation so district accounting complies with standards for business‑like activities that generate external sales; Williams said some existing miscellaneous program balances will be transferred into the enterprise fund.

Finally, the board approved a one‑year lease (Aug. 1–June 30) of modular space behind Jefferson School to the Center of Restorative Youth Justice. Williams told trustees the leased modulars are roughly 1,600 square feet (two 800‑square‑foot modules) and said there are no student programs scheduled at Jefferson for the coming year that conflict with the lease. Trustees voted unanimously on each recommendation.

These items were forwarded by staff as routine business; trustees had brief clarifying questions about square footage, fund transfers and accounting treatment, and all motions were approved without dissent.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MCPS Board of Trustees Meeting July 15 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Missoula County Public Schools trustees unanimously approved a set of routine operational items July 15, including a transportation agreement with Drummond School District, bus depreciation reserve funds, an enterprise fund for the Schoolhouse Meats lab, and a lease of modular space at Jefferson School.","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},6166169,"Trustees receive update on tentative teacher agreement; district to raise insurance contribution and increase salary matrix cells",422,5368000,5790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682&start=5368&end=5790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682/thumbnail_5368000.jpg","/articles/6166169/Montana/Trustees-receive-update-on-tentative-teacher-agreement-district-to-raise-insurance-contribution-and-increase-salary-matrix-cells","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166169-ef7f429312963b0fa7feb57def0d55f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775325095&Signature=jSgVae~sZhnqs6mZA5cGQXLDrP36VsYhJxEnXv-9xgAFRGQqhpaNhisX6IsPg-9RFlr4zY9AUuKCUdyUlMxA88tD2csw5yVA~K8oRNP9SKHM1ux2xW-5k4XiT4SnM8RfuCK7BEYVTbv7tsh8DyxKz9wJeIrcC2WVABphzle1NwVV7~JdW-BHd2q0S0ivVX21vkcZnCArUoAWWuD2iNuqiGAcFIGq5alUskqEuakhcuyPpiTXnCoWlmP00~WzjIqIDRh4CsmlWOWV7cUpycQ4x3MHVmDp~7d9nvw5KUJMKAGh2QHbtoxbUdnPoDhYsSfqMG5vWhuWOqx95dRj4Qhhhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District negotiators reported a tentative agreement with the Missoula Education Association (MEA) reached July 2 and summarized key terms to the board July 15. The agreement is tentative pending MEA member ratification over the summer; if ratified it will be brought to the board for final approval in September.

Chief negotiator/administrator reported that the district agreed to increase its health‑insurance contribution for all eligible employees by $25 per month. The proposal also continues a move away from percentage‑based raises toward whole‑dollar cell increases on the teacher salary matrix; negotiators described an across‑the‑matrix increase (noted in materials as $2,526 per cell this year with an additional whole‑dollar increase the following year). Additional components in the tentative deal include a longevity stipend for teachers at 20/25/30 years of service, modest increases to stipends/curriculum rates tied to a base salary factor, limits on multiple horizontal lane moves in a single year, and an increase in personal leave from two to three days.

Administrators told trustees the agreement is designed to raise the district’s relative standing toward the STARS Act salary minimums and to reduce gaps between lower and higher matrix cells. The superintendent said the district reaches roughly 68% of the STARS target under the proposed changes but that demographic shifts (retirements, new hires) will affect that ongoing calculation.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about how the matrix changes translate into percentage increases, the effect on non‑MEA employees and the timetable for ratification. Administration also presented a separate proposal to apply whole‑dollar increases to nonunion employees (rough market adjustments across roughly 100 positions); trustees approved that personnel motion at the meeting.

","District negotiators told the Missoula County Public Schools board July 15 they reached a tentative agreement with the Missoula Education Association that raises the district insurance contribution and increases teacher pay cells by whole‑dollar amounts, pending member ratification.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6166174,"Board appoints Leslie McShane to fill Missoula trustee vacancy",1075,77000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682&start=77&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682/thumbnail_77000.jpg","/articles/6166174/Montana/Board-appoints-Leslie-McShane-to-fill-Missoula-trustee-vacancy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166174-78f6e9751ada8f3a6fdfa85101d8d000/orig.mp4?Expires=1775325095&Signature=SfwO54wzbFy8Eddpq0oqX8zAJNznsG3QoX7W8P~qxEf1iDMBWRpdDgIMRwZckR8lob1i86Gye-zNC0wzD2dYwzgxLii9~EidZ4yt2P8Xg1bXgW2JIKTgAUoHRLkQzR-y2ctiTlzsSMbVg5mbhJbsijW5Slrp30zpDL8mBeRq-yy6zIi2HM0T8LJhgEQvn11V4vP0cdThcFUYW~6hkEx8fC87PPL1Oi6vekLytp9hB9S6mfRX8ZL1TvI8bZfo3GDCpFHNQFMLXXouQrTNXwtioYiy2NNPyahsyLP7LyJ90DR7FDOjwVht2ZfDhimag608IddUt~n5Vh94uG1-2NP9-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees interviewed two candidates on July 15 and appointed Leslie McShane to a vacant high‑school trustee seat.

Trustees asked each candidate three standard questions about why they wanted to serve, the role of an individual trustee on an 11‑member board, and how the high‑school trustee should represent feeder schools. McShane said she is ‘‘a big fan of public education’’ and described willingness to ‘‘give the time and energy’’ to serve; the other candidate, who said he has served 12 years as a school trustee for Hellgate/School District No. 4, noted prior trustee experience and community familiarity.

A motion to appoint McShane was made and seconded; trustees then voted. The chair announced: \"Motion passes. Welcome, trustee McShane.\" The board clerk then swore in and seated the new trustee.

Trustees commended both candidates for stepping forward. Several trustees emphasized the importance of high‑school trustees during upcoming levy and funding discussions and said the role requires daytime availability for school visits and committee work.

","After interviewing two candidates, the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees appointed Leslie McShane to the high‑school trustee vacancy by majority vote; she was then seated immediately.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6166179,"Hellgate teacher’s grievance challenges process used to change media‑arts offerings",1559,3855000,5414000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682&start=3855&end=5414","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682/thumbnail_3855000.jpg","/articles/6166179/Montana/Hellgate-teachers-grievance-challenges-process-used-to-change-mediaarts-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166179-c3f81037c8970cc07c153ef14c832c89/orig.mp4?Expires=1775325095&Signature=bIa~l82K0l3O0eEpqG5k7IfbjZ4Ry10-luBKqikI5uD--ipxnaqYpYhaOcIPij-yFYG7CQ0vEKGEd57I3zpCV8SU2Bue3SPFQYAjTjFX5aYEtC1bn3RMxSvMD195oYrRODLawhY9SzJeb5hEWNe2r~gxvF8kG2PIDx7-W6rfnIwYB1AhXbDf1797iBW2pgEpPF3SGZWl5HS7IZ8dYHdxKB-e1hKat9cyZAAKW4Ni3irs~rPS01QhvYp~6~zbRyjTDai4WVkXdMPIkdS0UmLy6rvvaVymJ1KH8WnFhHIylpkLolppFRVuor9su1b7AWy9ojD6tmSxKbVRIeEe7Q6ngw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beth Cole, a Hellgate High School teacher, presented a Level‑4 grievance to the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees on July 15 alleging the district did not follow Board Policy 2,120 (curriculum review) when administrators eliminated AV/media‑arts pathway classes and added a new social media production pilot course.

\"I am grieving Board Policy 2021,\" Cole told the board, and argued that the AV pathway ‘‘garnered 281 student requests’’ in 2024–25 while the new social media production class drew 68 requests in the same period. She said the removal of the AV pathway could reduce Perkins grant funding and that teacher‑led curriculum review — which she characterized as the district’s past practice — did not occur.

Administration responded that principals and department chairs at Hellgate, Sentinel and Big Sky reviewed enrollment and program demand and that staffing and master‑schedule decisions were driven by those data and by added graduation requirements (financial literacy). Assistant superintendent/administration staff explained the new social media production pilot had three sections with roughly 120 students signed up and that principals were tasked with making schedules more efficient after recent budget pressures.

Board discussion focused on whether policy language had been violated, not on the pedagogical merits of either course. Trustees asked whether curriculum review timelines in district policy were still aligned with state law and current practice. Counsel and staff explained that policy requires district review at least every five years but that the board’s formal role is adoption of significant curriculum changes; pilot courses are permitted under Policy 2,311 and can be brought later for board action.

Trustee discussion found no clear, grievable violation of policy: the board voted to reject the grievance by a motion and second, with trustees explaining the matter reflected a philosophical and procedural difference rather than a policy breach. Several trustees, however, said the grievance highlighted the need to update and clarify curriculum policy and review practices.

The board directed administrators to proceed with the curriculum review cycle this year and flagged policy language for consideration during the coming policy review work. Cole said she was concerned about retention, teacher voice in curriculum decisions and missed opportunities to align course offerings with local industry changes, including film‑industry growth tied to recent state incentives.

","A Hellgate High School teacher filed a Level‑4 grievance arguing the district did not follow its curriculum review process when shifting staff and course offerings away from the AV/media‑arts pathway; the board rejected the grievance but directed a review of related policy practices.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6166184,"Missoula trustees authorize up to $1 million from interlocal fund as federal aid remains on hold",1164,2114000,3278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682&start=2114&end=3278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5416044-ba3e165034b7a3a223665e7e52703682/thumbnail_2114000.jpg","/articles/6166184/Montana/Missoula-trustees-authorize-up-to-1-million-from-interlocal-fund-as-federal-aid-remains-on-hold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166184-dd6690b72858b722228da5ba781a6f3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775325095&Signature=i8xu0VzD5uWcai3cSMikONiBQJ0AjqFhFQPZN8x8qVnkCKZjP95QnWa4E3JYXYIA9bSuFEikzRvRKYaiGtqUX2r5gIpO5ZiKmzhfGGORSoTT4MM-eL6uLA~~Zj9O89gswb-PXr2M4~tZ766DoDZ-VO-x~GxZCqtu~vKsm~Tw6JNwR5UIssbQGzHfvMu6fSNzGd9aKoXXzcX0wKPlalxcT8Wanh66ackwXJgtrbnhmJXUpe29RDAGDCR25YdXOE5q6CtBWp~BV2RA3lGm29dSCXdjxNIdeZRvMgBPGb3eit-eLSUZuuBpTa0m0-bmU3Tk0wyDfa6DoLLqWX8ewLTRgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously on July 15 to authorize use of interlocal funds, not to exceed $1,000,000, to cover district payroll and program costs if delayed federal grant funding does not arrive.

Superintendent Micah Hill told trustees that federal ‘‘hold’’ guidance affects multiple federal programs the district uses to operate services, including class-size reduction, English learner support, instructional coaching, after-school programming and summer school. He said Title II funds that back five full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions total about $235,000 annually and that Title IV Part B supports after‑school programming that the district pays the city’s parks and recreation and other partners about $230,000 to run.

Hill framed the board decision as a contingency: ‘‘The recommendation is that I’m asking our trustees to set aside funds in the interlocal agreement for the 25‑26 school year in the event that these funds are not distributed,’’ he said. He described the interlocal account as a rainy‑day reserve and said the district would reimburse it if federal funds are later released.

Board members pressed for details about the proposed amount, how reimbursements would work and the source of the reserve. Hill said the district’s carryover plus delayed funds put the total exposure ‘‘in excess of a million’’ and that the interlocal account holds roughly $3 million with some earmarks already in place. Trustees discussed whether to specify an exact dollar amount; the motion on the floor limited the authorization to not exceed $1,000,000 and passed unanimously.

Trustees and staff repeatedly emphasized uncertainty around the timeline for federal action. Hill said state and national advocacy is underway and that the Office of Public Instruction had issued guidance recommending districts not assume aid will arrive. He added that districts may have to ‘‘rob Peter to pay Paul’’ if the funds remain withheld and that the interlocal authorization should be a last resort.

The board did not adopt specific program cuts at the meeting; Hill said the authorization would allow payroll and contracted services to continue while the district monitors developments and seeks reimbursement if the federal funds are restored.

Looking forward, Hill and trustees said they will continue advocacy with state and federal officials and revisit the budget if and when federal funds are resolved.

","Facing federal funding holds, the Missoula County Public Schools board authorized using up to $1,000,000 from its interlocal reserve to cover programs funded by federal grants until reimbursements arrive, and voted unanimously to approve the measure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves transportation, reserve funds, enterprise fund and lease; routine consent items pass unanimously

Trustees receive update on tentative teacher agreement; district to raise insurance contribution and increase salary matrix cells

Board appoints Leslie McShane to fill Missoula trustee vacancy

Hellgate teacher’s grievance challenges process used to change media‑arts offerings

Missoula trustees authorize up to $1 million from interlocal fund as federal aid remains on hold