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Board approves cooperative sports agreements; principals and students spotlight school programs
Summary
Trustees approved cooperative athletic agreements that allow Loyola and Frenchtown students to participate with Big Sky and Hellgate teams. Trustees also heard presentations from Chief Charlo and Meadow Hill principals and a superintendent report on state tax‑credit donations.
Missoula — The Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a set of cooperative athletic sponsorships that district leaders said will bolster participation in several sports.
Jack Young, activity director at Big Sky, described existing cooperatives with Loyola and Frenchtown for wrestling and swimming and said the arrangements have allowed small numbers of students from partner schools to participate without paying travel or event hosting fees. “We have a total of seven participating swimmers this year from our co‑op partners and their participation has strengthened relay opportunities,” Young said.
Nick Latch, activity director at Hellgate, outlined proposed cooperatives for girls’ softball and boys’ baseball. Latch said Hellgate has struggled some years to field JV and varsity softball teams and that a cooperative arrangement would improve roster balance and allow younger athletes more appropriate developmental placement. “Entering into a cooperative agreement would help with participation,” Latch said.
Trustees moved and seconded the motion to approve the cooperative sponsorships and voted unanimously.
Earlier in the meeting principals from Chief Charlo Elementary and Meadow Hill Middle School presented school updates and student perspectives. Chief Charlo principal Denisha Griffith introduced a staff‑driven mission statement: “At Chief Charlo, we learn and grow together through creativity, curiosity, and cooperation,” she said, and outlined efforts on restorative practices, STEAM expansion and supports for students with social‑emotional and behavioral needs.
Meadow Hill principal Susie Badgett and a student panel described enrollment shifts, a new learning‑lab program, and a student leadership focus called the profile‑of‑a‑graduate. Students raised requests for later start times, more arts and longer lunch periods during a brief Q&A.
Superintendent Micah Hill reported the district claimed $362,800 in the current cycle of the state’s Innovative Education Program tax credit and listed examples of how the district used those funds, including classroom grants and arts integration support.
Trustees approved the cooperative agreements and accepted the school presentations as information.
