Lockwood board halts negotiations with Assistant Superintendent Kelly Kinsey, sets July 8 interviews for interim superintendent

The Lockwood K‑12 Board of Trustees on June 18 reviewed weeks of negotiations with Assistant Superintendent Kelly Kinsey, concluded the candidate had not committed to the superintendent role, and voted to move ahead with interviews for interim superintendent finalists on July 8, 2026.

In a prepared statement read to the board, the chair said the board had authorized leadership and legal counsel on June 4 “to work with the assistant superintendent Kelly Kinsey on a transition plan,” but that Kinsey repeatedly hesitated and ultimately indicated he preferred to remain in his current position. The chair said the board’s attempts to resolve terms — including a discussed $130,000 salary on a 260‑day contract and a flexible reverter clause — did not produce a firm acceptance.

Why it matters: The discussion moved a high‑stakes local personnel matter from informal negotiations into a formal search process. The board’s choice to stop negotiations with a current senior administrator and schedule public interviews for interim candidates changes the district’s leadership timeline and triggers a fast‑tracked interview and vetting phase.

Legal guidance and privacy Larry Martin, the board’s legal counsel with Belt Martin, told trustees that Montana law recognizes an individual right to privacy but that contract‑term negotiations generally do not fall under information that must be withheld. “Montana law provides a right to privacy,” Martin said, and added that a chair may decide whether an individual’s privacy “clearly exceeds the public’s right to know.” He also described the June 13 special meeting motion as procedurally incomplete rather than plainly lawful or unlawful given the notice and agenda questions raised.

Kelly Kinsey, who joined by Zoom, told the board he had the option to request a closed session and that he did not want the exchange to become confrontational. “I have the right to have a closed session,” Kinsey said during the meeting.

Board decision and vote Trustees debated whether to continue negotiations without clearer commitments from Kinsey. After an informal poll, the chair said a majority of trustees indicated they were unwilling to keep negotiating. The board then moved to action items and voted to interview four interim superintendent finalists — Lance Olsen, J L Hewitt, Eric Terrell and Steve Mayhew — with interviews set for July 8, 2026. Trustee Charity moved the motion and Trustee Dave seconded it. The chair announced votes in favor from Jackie, Dave, Charity and Lacy, and opposed votes from Josh, Shane and Stacy; the motion passed.

The board also approved executive session minutes from June 16/18 during the meeting; several trustees said they would abstain from that approval because they had not attended the executive session.

What the motion includes and next steps The board’s motion directs legal counsel to reach out to candidates, coordinate interviews and assist with logistics and any required legal steps. Trustees said background checks have not yet been completed and that interview criteria were developed during executive session; the board committed to working out stakeholder involvement and final screening steps before interviews.

Context and details - Compensation framework discussed during the board’s June 15 legal training included a $130,000 salary and a 260‑day contract; an earlier June 13 agenda had included an interim contract at 270 days and $135,000, which trustees said had been placed on an agenda with incomplete information. - Trustees expressed differing views about whether the June 13 motion was properly noticed or legally valid; legal counsel recommended rescinding any motion that the board decided not to pursue.

The meeting concluded after the vote to set interviews; the board adjourned and legal counsel will follow up with candidates and trustees to schedule and structure the July 8 interviews.