Superintendent Marsha Stolfos briefs commissioners on Stars Act readiness and trade‑education tracks

Marsha Stolfos, introduced to the board as the superintendent of schools, gave the quarterly report on district operations and partnerships.

Stolfos said most schools returned quickly after weather closures, with a few rural schools using makeup days. She highlighted the county spelling bee scheduled for Feb. 23 at Glacier High School and noted the district has confirmed three judges and an announcer.

Stolfos described coordination with Flathead Valley Community College to expand college-and-career-ready options, including a new plumbing track and an HVAC track being piloted for neighboring areas; the goal is to extend pathways down to middle school through programs such as "Taste of the Trades." On the Stars Act, which begins fiscal year 27–28, Stolfos said high-school and community-college collaboration is increasing and that the measure will expand career-readiness opportunities.

She also outlined a proposed county interdisciplinary student case review team (centralized case review team model) intended to be led by the county superintendent; the first meeting is hoped for in spring or summer and the superintendent said she has been working on a template with local partners.

During the update a commissioner asked about outreach for a local scholarship referred to in the record as the "Harkins" (also spoken as "Hawkins") scholarship and said students and guidance counselors had not consistently seen the notice. Stolfos acknowledged the concern and said the scholarship mailing "goes out on the thirtieth" and that she would make sure the information is posted on the district website.

Commissioners praised recent school visits and encouraged continued engagement between commissioners and local schools. Stolfos invited board members to participate in classroom visits and said she will place an invitation in the monthly newsletters to administrators.

The briefing required no formal board action.