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Board approves half‑time facilities administrative assistant after debate over staffing and fees
Summary
Trustees voted to add a half‑time facilities administrative assistant to manage rentals, scheduling and safety; administration projected modest rental revenue but some trustees raised concerns about adding an administrative position while classroom positions may be cut.
The Flathead School Board approved a half‑time facilities administrative assistant to manage the district’s facility rentals, scheduling, insurance checks and key‑card access, after trustees debated whether adding the position is the right move while classroom staffing remains under review.
Administration presented the proposal as a restoration of duties that had previously been split across roles. Matt, who led the facilities presentation, said the district currently has no reliable scheduling or key‑card system and that restoring the position would allow the district to collect fees and ensure proper liability and cleaning procedures. “Based on two‑thirds of a school year, we could have collected about $56,000 from the elementary rentals alone,” Matt said, citing a rear‑view projection of past facility use.
Several trustees questioned the timing and optics of adding even a half‑time classified position while the district faces budget pressure. One trustee said the district is planning reductions and cautioned against adding administrative staff at the expense of classroom personnel; another countered that the role fills a long‑unfilled operational need and could be budget neutral by year two if the fee structure is implemented.
Administrators proposed a phased approach to fees—starting with a soft 25% charge in year one and ramping to full fees indexed to CPI—while prioritizing student and district uses over outside groups. Administration emphasized the intention was not to generate profit but to cover custodial, maintenance and key‑card system costs.
Public commenters and the facilities director supported the position as a way to ensure accountability, reduce custodial burdens and keep community partnerships in place. After discussion and public comment, the board voted to approve the position as presented; the motion carried and the board directed administration to return with details on implementation, policy updates and a timeline for filling the position.
Next steps: administration will draft updated facility‑use policy language, finalize a fee schedule and begin recruitment to fill the half‑time classified position. The board asked for follow‑up on projected revenue, category definitions for users and how the district will protect student access to facilities.
