POTOMAC - The Potomac School Board discussed school operations, curriculum, safety, staff and technology at their May 8 meeting. John Rouse was hired as the new principal replacing Angie Williams. Starla Dugger will start next year as the special education teacher replacing Kristina Burtch.
Eighth grade teacher Damian Gaglia reported on graduation, June 7. The students are planning the majority of the evening, according to Gaglia. “This is their last say on their Potomac legacy,” he said.
During the meeting, student Buzzy Bennett reported on the upcoming eighth grade trip, May 22 - 25. The students are taking the train from Whitefish to Glasgow, Mont., with various educational stops along the way including a fish hatchery, a dam, museums and ending with a full day chartered fishing trip on Fort Peck Reservoir.
School safety updates include decals and trainings. The staff at Potomac are dedicated to the safety of the students and seek opportunities for training and professional development, said Williams.
After an active threat training with the Missoula County Sheriff’s office, the staff asked the officers for suggestions regarding making the school safer. In response, Potomac School posted emergency decals on windows of all classrooms and building rooms with the room numbers visible.
“They [decals] are posted on the windows, so that if there was ever an emergency in the school, law enforcement and emergency personnel could see from the outside the rooms’ numbers,” said Williams.
The school has also been updating their technology. Summer 2016 Blackfoot Telephone brought in a new fiber line to the school which increased the internet capabilities. Teacher Sarah Schmill has noticed an improvement with online programs like her language electives she teaches, which involve online foreign language courses.
The technology infrastructure, including wiring, wireless access points and switches, was upgraded in March by Pine Cove Consulting using E-Rate funding and one time only building reserve funds. Part of the upgrade also included a new firewall and web filtering system they did not have before, according to Williams. Now there is seamless wiring throughout the school campus.
“The Board has asked for a technology plan that would allow the District to budget each year for sustaining the school technology,” said Williams. Potomac School has relied on grants, donated items and whatever funds might be left over at the end of the year to purchase computers. “With the increase in technology needs and a decrease in budget this is not a sustainable practice.”
The school is replacing old computers with Chromebooks and is looking at different options for school technology revenue.
The staff and administration are undergoing changes as well with new hires in principal and special education positions. John Rouse has accepted and been hired as the new principal and will begin two weeks prior to the new school year until two weeks after school is out per principal contract requirements. Rouse has recently been the superintendent of Browning schools for the past three years.
Williams has accepted the superintendent position of Terry, Mont. schools and begins July 1. “I have been spending quite a bit of time in eastern Montana the last few years and with my youngest graduating from high school and planning to attend MSU-Billings, this is just a good time to make the move.”
She said she will miss Potomac School students and staff as well as the community. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Potomac and feel like I have been successful in my position,” said Williams.
Starla Dugger has been hired as the special education teacher. “She will be a great addition to our staff,” said Williams. Kristina Burtch is the present special education teacher but is leaving, so the position had to be filled for next year. Dugger will begin with the rest of the teachers in August.
This year Potomac School contracted with Montana School Board Association’s Joe Brott to go through the current school policies manual and handbook. Brott presented his recommended changes in April. The board accepted the manual with revisions at their meeting.
Next regular school board meeting is June 12 at 7 p.m.
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