County superintendent flags background-check delays, enrollment pressures and Columbia Falls bond

County Superintendent of Schools Marsha Stolfas briefed commissioners on Oct. 14 about oversight of small districts, enrollment trends, teacher evaluations, and administrative challenges including a backlog in background checks for volunteers and employees.

Stolfas said fingerprint-based background checks have slowed; where the county previously saw a roughly two-week turnaround, the process now can take about three weeks. "Instead of a 2 week turnaround that we were experiencing, we're now looking at 3 weeks," she said, noting increased volumes since July have strained DOJ processing and county capacity. She described steps the office is taking, including regional fingerprint clinics and exploration of electronic live-scan options (noting state funding and procurement constraints).

On enrollment and facilities, Stolfas said some local schools are using portable classrooms to accommodate student growth and that districts are managing interventions for students behind grade level. She also reminded commissioners of a Columbia Falls bond election scheduled for Nov. 4: "The amount is the $84,800,000 for 25 years," she said, adding the bond would address safety, security and an aging building.

Stolfas reported her office would complete outstanding teacher evaluations this school year and is coordinating transportation inspections and grants; she asked commissioners to consider support for fingerprinting and other administrative burdens that affect hiring and volunteer onboarding.

Ending: Stolfas asked the commission to watch the fingerprint backlog and budgeting implications and said she would follow up with details about potential live-scan costs and regional clinic plans.