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  • Residency program to start at Medical Center this fall

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 17, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – At their June 8 meeting, the Seeley-Swan Hospital District Board learned more about the residency program that will be starting at the Seeley-Swan Medical Center this fall. The Medical Center Satellite Manager Georgiann McCoy said there are several residents interested in doing their rural rotation in Seeley Lake. Dr. Stephen Humpal and Nurse Practitioner Lynne Rogers are hoping to have a resident in the clinic every Friday starting in September. They will have two to three that will rotate every week. McCoy said this will allow f...

  • Informational workshop held to discuss hiring options, Type I engine purchase

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 10, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – The Fire Board met for an informational workshop Tuesday, June 8 at 1 p.m. regarding the potential of hiring employees as well as purchasing a Type I engine that will be going up for bid in Missoula soon. No decisions were made at the meeting and discussions will continue at the next board meeting June 15 at 6 p.m. at the District. Workshops and special meetings are posted on the District website seeleyfire.org and posted at the Station. Current Situation Fire Chief Dave Lane provided the board with a current roster. They c...

  • Board discusses advertising principal position, certifies new trustee

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Jun 3, 2021

    SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley Elementary School Board held a discussion on how they should approach advertising an open part-time principal/teacher position during a special meeting Wednesday, May 26. They unanimously voted to have Erin Lipkind, Missoula County superintendent of schools, and District Clerk Heather Mincey create an advertisement for the position on the school’s website with the stipulation that it could be modified at any time. They also certified their new trustee Sophie Trull. Ralph King served as the school’s principal for...

  • Equal assessment method chosen

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|May 27, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Sewer District Board appointed Cheri Thompson to serve on the Board and adopted an equal assessment method for next year’s tax assessment at their May 20 meeting. In other business, the Board hired an interim manager, heard a presentation on a water study in the area and discussed studying the groundwater with the Health Department. Thompson was the only applicant to fill Director Walt Hill’s seat after he resigned in February. The Board interviewed Thompson at the meeting. Thompson said the reason she applied is b...

  • Board approves election results, summer lunch program, new hires

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|May 27, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously approved a canvass of the election results for the general fund levy during its regular meeting Monday, May 17. During the meeting the Board also approved the school’s 2021 Summer Lunch program, new hires and talked about updates to the School Improvement Plan. Superintendent Josh Gibbs said the levy passed but by “a very narrow margin.” A total of 990 ballots were submitted, 887 of which were accepted. Of those 887 votes, 452 were in favor while 418 were opposed. The remai...

  • Board reorganizes, discusses by-laws and budget

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|May 27, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Fire Board reorganized and discussed an amendment to their by-laws at their monthly meeting May 18. The board swore in Gary Lewis and Connie Clark to serve for another three years. They voted to retain Scott Kennedy as the board chair, Lewis as the vice chair and Clark as the secretary. Lane suggested adding a paragraph related to the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District by-laws that delegates managing duties to the District fire chief when there is one in place. The Seeley Lake Fire Board by-laws were last updated i...

  • Operational decisions made, masks optional

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|May 20, 2021

    SWAN VALLEY - Members of the Swan Valley Elementary School Board unanimously voted to follow the recommendations of the Missoula-City County Health Department (MCCHD) to rescind their mask mandate during their monthly board meeting Tuesday, May 11. As of Wednesday, May 12 students and staff are no longer required to wear masks on school grounds. During the discussion Principal Ralph King said that he wanted to add the verbiage “optional” to whatever motion the Board would make to avoid implications. “There’s nothing mandatory or recomme...

  • Council hears updates on Bob Marshall Music Festival, sewer system, Paws Up, USFS projects

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|May 20, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Community Council heard updates regarding the Bob Marshall Music Festival, the status of the sewer project, Paws Up’s use of two motels for employee housing, and U.S. Forest Service summer projects during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday, May 10. Bob Marshall Music Festival Heidi O’Brien, Lewis and Clark Brewing marketing director, provided updates on the Bob Marshall Music Festival. She said they were ready to make any adaptations required should conditions change in the weeks leading up to the festival sch...

  • Staffing changes and vaccination updates

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|May 20, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan Hospital District learned of staffing changes and received a vaccination update from Partnership Health Center at their May 11 meeting. PHC hired Georgiann McCoy as the new Seeley-Swan Medical Center Satellite Manager to fill Karen Ayers position. “We feel that the expertise that she brings to that position is going to be exactly what we need to be able to move into the future,” PHC representative Abby Berow said. Due to her new position, McCoy can no longer serve on the Hospital District board. The board is seeki...

  • Policy updates approved, board reorganized, masks optional

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|May 20, 2021

    POTOMAC - The Potomac Elementary School Board unanimously approved maintaining their 1900 policy series and Return-to-School Plan with certain amendments during their monthly board meeting Thursday, May 13. While the series contains policies intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19, masks are no longer required on school grounds. At the meeting, the board also changed membership and approved Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) policy updates on first reading. Board members decided to keep the 1900 policy series until the end of the...

  • Masks optional at SLE

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|May 13, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously voted to rescind their mask policy in accordance with Missoula-City County Health Department’s (MCCHD) recommendations during a special meeting Wednesday, May 5 in the school gym. Face coverings are now optional due to the MCCHD rescinding the requirement Monday, May 10. In an April 15 meeting, Missoula City-County Board of Health decided that face covering requirements will be converted into recommendations when at least 60% of Missoula County residents ages 16 and older have r...

  • Workshop planned to discuss volunteer shortage options

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Apr 29, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – At the Seeley Lake Fire Board's monthly meeting Tuesday, April 20, Fire Chief Dave Lane presented the idea of a feasibility study and hosting a board workshop to discuss hiring personnel and accompanying tax levy to cover the cost. He also promoted volunteer Emergency Medical Technician Rita Rossi to Emergency Medical Services Lieutenant and volunteer firefighter John Homen to Fire Captain. In other business, the cost for the current medical director was questioned and the board u...

  • Policy updates and summer lunch program tabled, Improvement Plan updated

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Apr 29, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – During their monthly meeting April 19, the Seeley Lake Elementary School Board decided to postpone updates to their 3000 Policy Series as well as their 2021 summer lunch program for their next meeting in May. Superintendent Josh Gibbs also provided updates on the School Improvement Plan and other aspects of the school during his report. The board decided to table their summer lunch program until they can obtain additional information from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. They tabled the 3000 Policy Series because one m...

  • Policy updates and revisions approved, county mask mandate discussed

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Apr 29, 2021

    SWAN VALLEY - Members of the Swan Valley Elementary School Board unanimously approved a first reading of multiple new policies and policy revisions during their monthly meeting Tuesday, April 20. They also discussed Missoula City-County Health Department’s conversion of COVID-19 prevention methods going from mandates to recommendations in May. The new policies have to do with student sexual harassment grievance procedures, staff sexual harassment procedures, personnel background checks, and drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers. T...

  • Mask requirement remains, class trip updates given

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder Staff|Apr 22, 2021

    POTOMAC - Members of the Potomac School Board voted four to one to reject a motion requesting that mask wearing be voluntary on school grounds during a monthly Board meeting Monday, April 12. The board also heard updates on the seventh and eighth grade trips and approved all but one intent to hire. For the past few school board meetings, staff members and parents have publicly advocated for making masks optional on school grounds. At their last meeting in March the Board was informed that if they chose not to follow Missoula City-County Health...

  • Board adopts FY22 operating budget

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder Staff|Apr 22, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – At its April 15 meeting, the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board adopted their fiscal year 2022 budget and discussed assessment methods and filling a vacancy on the Board. District Manager Jean Curtiss informed the Board that she plans to resign her position at the end of June. Director Beth Hutchinson felt that going forward at this time the District could use a manager that was more of a placeholder to meet state law and reduce their operating budget accordingly. She said the manager could be as simple as being paid to attend m...

  • Updates given on tourism, vaccines, Forest Service projects

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder Staff|Apr 22, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Community Council heard updates regarding tourism, vaccines and projects on the Seeley Lake Ranger District during their monthly meeting Monday, April 12. Fire Board candidates Alyssa McLean and Kristy Pohlman also shared a little more about why they are running for the Seeley Lake Fire District Board of Trustees in the May 4 election. Racene Friede, President and CEO of Glacier Country, discussed trends in Western Montana tourism and expectations for the 2021 season. Prior to the pandemic in 2019, 12.6 million...

  • Ovando gathers for community meeting

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Apr 8, 2021

    OVANDO - Ovando citizens came together Tuesday, March 30 in the Ovando School gym for a community meeting to review updates from local town boards and discuss upcoming events. Events discussed were Town Clean-up Day, Fourth of July, and the citywide garage sale and farmer's market. Blackfoot Challenge Office Administrator Deb Dillree and Ovando School Supervising Teacher Leigh Ann Valiton facilitated the meeting. Organizers confirmed that Town Clean-up Day will officially take place at 10 a.m....

  • Board approves permissive levy, election for general fund levy

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Apr 1, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – At their monthly meeting March 22, the Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously approved a resolution of intent to impose an increase in levies for transportation, building reserve and tuition fund and to run a general fund levy election. The general fund levy will appear on the May 4 mail-in election for those within Seeley Lake School District #34. Ballots will be mailed April 14. For the permission levy, transportation saw a 1.72 decrease in mills for an estimated revenue change of -$15,275.71. Building reserve saw a ....

  • Board votes to study and evaluate alternatives 

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 25, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – At their March 18 meeting, the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board passed a pair of resolutions that put the proposed sewer project on the shelf and resolved to find a solution to the groundwater pollution. They also worked on closing out the grants that were for the proposed project, worked on their fiscal year 2022 budget, discussed the process of appointing a director to the vacancy on the Board and got a legal update on the lawsuit against the District. Resolutions The Board passed a pair of resolutions dealing with the future o...

  • Board approves two hiring procedures

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 25, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Rural Fire Chief Dave Lane provided several updates at the District’s March 16 board meeting. The Board also unanimously approved two standard operating procedures (SOP) related to wage increases and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Compliance. In the Chief’s update, Lane said this spring they have three volunteers that will be attending an EMT class and four members that will be attending the Basic Wildland Firefighting course in Lincoln, Montana. “That is pretty exciting,” Lane said. “Not only are we getting peo...

  • Council discusses memorial, receives updates on vaccines, sewer and Forest Service projects

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Mar 18, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Community Council discussed how to honor the memory of the late Council Chairman Klaus von Stutterheim during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting Monday, March 8. Council also heard updates regarding vaccines, the Sewer District Board and the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Vice Chair Jack Greenwood said Von Stutterheim’s contributions to organizing council meetings became immediately apparent following his passing. “Now that Klaus isn’t here, we’re finding out exactly how much work he did,” Greenwood said. “[W...

  • Board approves lease agreement, discusses mask directive

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Mar 18, 2021

    POTOMAC - The Potomac School Board unanimously voted to approve their 2021-2022 lease agreement with Potomac Greenough Community Center (PGCC) during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting Monday, March 8. They also approved a second reading of Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) policy updates and discussed what direction they would move in regarding the school’s mask mandate. Trustee Dr. Courtney Hathaway said she met with PGCC Chair Dawn Downs to go over the changes that the School Board had made to the agreement during a special m...

  • Board updates policies

    Henry Netherland, Pathfinder|Mar 18, 2021

    SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley Elementary School Board unanimously voted to approve a second reading of board policies regarding marijuana at their monthly board meeting Tuesday, March 9. The policies exclusively had to do with consumption and possession of marijuana on school grounds. While recreational usage was legalized in Montana during the 2020 election, it will still be against school policy to possess or use the substance on school grounds. The main changes made were mostly wording clarification. Principal Ralph King announced that all s...

  • Bonds fail, funding canceled, Hill resigns

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 4, 2021

    SEELEY LAKE - Voters in the Seeley Lake Sewer District rejected a pair of bonds by a 70% margin Feb. 23 that were proposed to pay for construction of a wastewater treatment plant and Phase 1 of the collection system. As a result of the failed election, the Sewer District Board received a letter canceling the primary funding package. The results of the election were discussed at a Feb. 24 Board meeting where Director Walt Hill also resigned his position on the Board. The General Obligation bond for the treatment plant was turned down by a vote...

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