Bigfork trustees approve county-run election agreement, authorize Middle School 'Close Up' trip and accept $10,000 donation

The Board of Trustees of Bigfork Elementary School and Bigfork High School on Feb. 12 approved a memorandum of agreement with Flathead County to have county officials administer the district’s spring school elections, approved a Middle School Close Up field trip and fundraising request for 2026 (approved by the elementary trustees), accepted a $10,000 donation and held a closed executive session for the superintendent’s evaluation.

The Flathead County School Election Memorandum of Agreement, presented by Business Manager Lacey Porrovecchio, outlines county and district responsibilities for running school elections. Trustee Zack Anderson moved to approve the MOA, Trustee Ben Woods seconded, and the agreement passed by unanimous vote of the elementary and high school trustees. The MOA establishes county election administration for the district; the motion carried without recorded opposition.

Mrs. Bonner requested approval for the Middle School Close Up trip to Washington, D.C., in 2026, with a possible three-day stop in New York. Trustee Julie Kreiman moved to approve the field trip and associated fundraising; Trustee Deb Johnson seconded. The transcript records the motion as approved by unanimous vote of the elementary trustees. The district did not record any dissenting votes in the public minutes; details about student eligibility, exact trip itinerary and fundraising targets were not specified and will be finalized through district procedures.

The consent agenda passed unanimously and included routine items such as approval of the Jan. 15 meeting minutes, the January student activity report, bill approval lists and a Marjorie Nelson Innovative Tax Credit donation of $10,000. The personnel slate included multiple resignations (Jeannie Hayes, Bruce Bench, Rob Tracy, Erin Melzer, Derek Vann), a recommended substitute teacher (Jessica Hunt) and a series of extracurricular appointments and volunteer recommendations for middle- and high-school athletics; offers of employment were noted as contingent on satisfactory background checks and pre-employment screening.

Chairperson Paul Sandry led a first reading of Board Policy 3122 (Attendance), noting that the district’s Title audit required an updated attendance policy. Superintendent Tom Stack said attendance issues will be discussed further at an upcoming board workshop; the policy was presented for review and not adopted at the meeting.

During reports and presentations, a team working on the district’s 'Portrait of a Graduate' (also termed Portrait of a Learner) described plans to align K–12 learning outcomes and competencies. Student Council President Nick Gustavson reported on an upcoming high school dance and efforts to boost student involvement.

Chairperson Sandry called an executive session under Montana Code Annotated 2-3-203(3) for the superintendent evaluation; the closed session began at 5:50 p.m. and ended at 6:37 p.m. The public minutes record the session’s start and end times but do not disclose discussion details. The board set future meeting dates for March 12, April 9 and May 14, all at 5 p.m. in the high school library, and adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

What’s next: The attendance policy will return for further discussion at a board workshop; details about the Close Up trip itinerary and fundraising logistics will be developed through school procedures; the district will proceed with the county-run election process per the signed MOA.