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Bigfork trustees approve policy package, personnel actions and $4,035 donation; coach recommendation pulled pending investigation
Summary
At its Sept. 10 meeting the Bigfork School District Board of Trustees approved multiple personnel hires and resignations, adopted a package of policy revisions, accepted a $4,035 donation to cross country and removed an 8th‑grade girls basketball coach recommendation for further investigation.
The Bigfork School District Board of Trustees met Sept. 10, 2025, in the high school library and approved a slate of personnel actions and a package of policy updates while removing one coaching recommendation from the consent agenda for further review.
Board Chair Paul Sandry opened the meeting at 5:01 p.m. and the board approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Trustee Carol Field, seconded by Trustee Ben Woods. Chair Sandry removed Consent Agenda item 5(d) — the recommendation to hire an 8th‑grade girls basketball coach — after saying board members had received communications about the appointment; Principal Charlie Appleby was asked to investigate and to return a recommendation by the November board meeting.
The board then approved the remainder of the consent agenda, moved by Trustee Julie Kreiman and seconded by Trustee Ben Woods. Consent items included approval of minutes and bills, acceptance of a $4,035 donation from the Bigfork Rotary Foundation to support the cross country program, and a set of personnel actions. Personnel listed on the consent agenda included the classified resignation of Amber Mulder (paraprofessional); the certified resignation of Jana Barrett, effective June 12, 2026; the hire of Tanya Kucher (paraprofessional); the addition of Cory Sanford to the K–12 substitute roster; and multiple extra‑curricular hires and volunteer recommendations for middle‑ and high‑school activities and coaching positions.
Superintendent Tom Stack presented a second reading of a package of policy revisions and told trustees that the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) no longer distinguishes policies by "Required" and "Recommended." The board voted unanimously to adopt the listed policies, which the superintendent presented as a group (policies 2100; 2150; 2158; 2335; 2450; 3110; 3310; 3416; 5255; 5122; 5430; 5252; 8560; 2334; and 2600). Trustee Ben Woods moved adoption and Trustee Mac Kirk seconded; the motion passed by unanimous vote of trustees present.
Principals and activity staff gave brief reports on the start of the school year. Principal Charlie Appleby reported increased middle‑school enrollment and activity participation; Activities Director and Special Education Director Matt Porrovecchio provided a fall athletics and special education update; Principal Mark Hansen noted PIR activities, freshman orientation, the Nate Schutt Summit, a CTE Summit and Homecoming preparations; Principal Brenda Clarke summarized PIR days, new student enrollments, the Fall Carnival and her Principal Advisory Team meetings; and Mrs. Morley reported on PIR days and the beginning of the school year.
In his superintendent report, Tom Stack commended the principals for PIR activities, said he plans to meet with staff after student count days to discuss the 2026–27 budget and outlined work on high‑school course offerings, dual enrollment, internships and testing. Stack added he is collaborating with area superintendents on recommendations to the Office of Public Instruction regarding high school accreditation standards.
The board set future regular meetings for Oct. 8; Nov. 12; Dec. 10; Jan. 14; Feb. 11; Mar. 11; and Apr. 8, all at 5 p.m. in the high school library. A motion to adjourn by Trustee Carol Field, seconded by Trustee Mac Kirk, passed unanimously and the meeting ended at 5:51 p.m.
