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Board discusses rolling admissions, curriculum rotation, Title VI goals and a potential phone ban
Summary
In the work session trustees discussed revising out‑of‑district admissions policy to include a priority deadline with rolling admissions through summer, updating curriculum review cycles to a five‑year rotation, reinforcing Title VI goals with measurable targets, and exploring a 'no phones bell‑to‑bell' policy with community input.
Trustees used the work session to discuss several policy and program topics that the administration will return with formal proposals.
Admissions policy: Board members reviewed policy 3141 and considered adding a priority deadline (first Friday in April) plus rolling admissions through summer (candidates suggested June 1 or June 15 cutoffs, with the OPI reporting deadline on June 30 noted). Supporters sought flexibility for families who move into the district late; some trustees warned that mid‑year admissions can disrupt instruction and testing windows and urged caution about midterm entries. The county superintendent (Lisa Bleven) currently handles appeals and may defer some cases back to the board.
Class sizes and strategic plan: Trustees discussed maintaining a buffer (targeting 75% of the state maximum) to avoid overcapacity and last‑minute hiring; members noted tradeoffs between accommodating new arrivals and following the district’s strategic plan limiting class sizes.
Title VI and student supports: Presenter Miss Noser summarized the Title VI report, highlighting revised, measurable goals around academic achievement, cultural identity/awareness and college‑bound supports. Proposed steps include more cultural speakers at schools, establishing an Indian parent committee, and targeted FAFSA assistance to increase postsecondary application completion. The board discussed outreach strategies to recruit parent committee members.
Curriculum review: Trustees reviewed policy 2311 requirements for reviews not exceeding five years and proposed a revised rotation to bring the district into compliance by pairing subject areas (for example, health/PE with science and world language with social studies).
Phone policy: Several trustees raised interest in studying a 'no phones bell‑to‑bell' policy modeled by other Montana districts. Members agreed any change would require a committee, parent engagement and would be implemented the following school year if adopted.
