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Adult literacy director seeks new hire as program shows steady outcomes, waits lists remain
Summary
The county's adult literacy program reported steady operations and asked to keep a vacant hire in the FY26 request to reduce wait lists and support testing needs; director Dixie told commissioners the program graduated 51 students last year and that rent increases reflected historic underfunding.
Ravalli County's adult literacy director told the Board of County Commissioners on May 12 that the program expects to underspend this year because it did not hire an additional staff member but needs to fill that position in FY26 to reduce waiting lists.
"We're still having waiting lists and having people, that we can't get to," Dixie said. She asked commissioners to leave funding in the FY26 budget to hire another staffer and said she expected to hire before September. "I would say before September," she told commissioners when asked about timing.
Dixie described testing and materials needs: testing materials are now administered online and require purchasing a new test suite when versions change; teaching materials are being reused to save money. She said the local literacy fund contains reserves and that budgeting for reserves differs because county reimbursement rules require spending before receiving reimbursement.
On student outcomes, Dixie said the program graduated 51 students last year and highlighted several individual success stories, including a student who completed his high‑school equivalency (HiSET) and was motivated by a family incentive. "We graduated 51 students last year. Darby did about 25," she said. She also noted the program draws students with complex needs and that staffing with social‑work skills is important: "We kind of need a social worker worse than we need a teacher."
Dixie told commissioners the program accepted a small rental increase after realizing the county's partner Human Resource Council had not raised rent in decades and could no longer subsidize the space. She said the literacy levy and community timing had helped sustain local funding and that the program aims to steer students into trades, apprenticeships or college where appropriate.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions and expressed appreciation for the program’s local work; no formal budget vote was taken during the presentation.
