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Roberts trustees accept multiple resignations, approve summer hires and K‑1 elementary configuration
Summary
The Roberts School District board accepted several staff resignations, approved summer‑school hires and additional summer maintenance help, ratified multiple certified contracts and approved an elementary configuration for 2025–26 after hearing a teacher report and staffing updates.
The Roberts School District No. 5 Board of Trustees on May 21 accepted eight staff resignations, approved summer hires and ratified contracts as administrators outlined staffing needs and enrollment realities for 2025–26.
Superintendent Alex Ator told the board he received resignation letters from Jacqui Jessen, Brian Frank, Ed Zink, Lisa Young, Denyse Vanek, Katy Rausch, Roly DeVries and Rio Chadde; the board voted unanimously to accept those resignations. Ator said kindergarten currently has no sign‑ups, so the elementary will likely run as a K‑1 combo, grade 2, grades 3–4 and grades 5–6 for the coming year; the board approved that configuration unanimously.
Teacher Brian Frank gave the monthly teacher report, saying he has taught in Roberts for ten years, served this year as PE teacher and BPA advisor, and will be teaching in Billings next year. Mr. Ator said summer‑school teaching interest was expressed by Rio Chadde and Ed Zink; the board approved hiring both at $30 per hour. The board also approved hiring head cook Kelly Songstad for summer mowing and maintenance at $21 per hour.
The board renewed the contract for Theresa Kosel for the 7–12 English position. The motion carried after a vote; Trustee Joel Bertolino recorded an abstention for conflict of interest. The board also ratified returned certified contracts for Janice Polzin, Misty Pitts, Sarah Clark, Peter Wisniewski and Darryl Grove.
Separately, trustees approved a two‑year contract with classified staff that provides a $3 per hour increase in year one and a salary freeze in year two, following a request from classified employees. The board approved the classified contract unanimously.
Financial and operational approvals tied to staffing included unanimous approval of affiliation renewals (School Administrators of Montana; Montana School Boards Association; Mt. Assn. of School Business Officials; Montana Small Schools Alliance; Montana Quality Education Coalition; Montana High School Association; C&C Accounting; MREA; NHS), continuation of health insurance with JPT for 2025–26 (Ator noted the quote included a 10% premium increase), and ratification of the completed 2023–24 audit.
The board approved several year‑end General Fund expenditures recommended by the superintendent, including Office Supplies $10,000; Classroom Orders $5,000; Custodial Orders $15,000; Property/Liability Insurance $40,000 (plus $10,000 transportation); Peterson Office Supplies $11,500; Activities Order $10,000; and conditioned air (gym heat) $9,995.
The meeting closed with routine scheduling and graduation duties: Michael Bissonnette will hand out high‑school diplomas and Chair Michelle Swansborough will present 8th‑grade certificates.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for June 18, 2025 and noted a likely special meeting on June 24 to approve year‑end purchases; Superintendent Ator’s last day of work was announced as June 25.
