Board makes minor changes to Strategic Plan

POTOMAC – The Potomac School Board worked through their strategic planning at their Nov. 9 meeting. They all agreed that the seven focus areas would be retained with just a shift in the implementation of priorities. The board also received an update from Principal John Rouse regarding upcoming extracurricular activities and from the eighth grade class regarding their class trip.

At the beginning of the strategic planning discussion, Chair Cliff Vann explained this is an annual discussion that provides an opportunity to reshape the direction of the school. He highlighted several projects including the library, sports field and fencing that have been completed based on the board’s reevaluation of the Strategic Plan.

“It is time, especially with a new board, that we spend some time reflecting [and ask] are these still our goals and should something else be there?” Vann said.

Rouse presented the seven focus areas that are part of the current plan. The board discussed each, reworded some and then prioritized them.

• Teach and learning – Authentic Literacy: The overall goal is to implement a high-quality plan to align, through a progression of approaches appropriate for each age group, early language and literacy projects serving children from birth to grade eight with programs and systems to improve readiness and transitions for children across this continuum.

• Teaching and Learning – Fine Arts: The overall goal is to provide an opportunity for students to participate in fine arts. They have an Artist in Residence program but no art teacher on staff or formalized music program.

• Teaching and Learning – College Career Readiness: The overall goal is to increase student participation in all areas related to high school readiness including developing an awareness of the different career pathways available through area high schools.

• Extended Day/Week/Year Programming: The overall goal is to secure funding in order to keep the Friday program functioning. The current program is the Explorers Program it used to be funded by the 21st Century Grant. Vann explained this was a main priority and went hand-in-hand with the shift to the four-day week.

• Financial Stability: The overall goal is to create structures to ensure that we are able to maintain services, including staff. This was the main priority last year, however, the school’s financial situation has changed when Potomac School was one of 21 Montana schools to receive a $750,000 Literacy Grant to be utilized over three-four years.

• School Climate and Culture: The overall goal last year read, “Effective communications with members of the community will strengthen community ties with the school.” After much discussion the board rewrote the overall goal to read, “Create and maintain an environment in our school in which ALL students feel welcomed, safe and valued. Build relationships with members of the community through effective communication and service."

• Facility/Maintenance Needs: The overall goal is to establish ongoing maintenance plans to ensure the facility needs are proactively addressed.

Prior to ranking these focus areas, Vann asked the board what is missing that should be included or is there something that should be removed because it is no longer needed.

Trustee Gary Long suggested the idea of resurrecting the idea of an outdoor classroom. This was something that was included in the plans when they developed the field, however it was put on the back burner because of lack of money.

“It’s not only for the school, it is for the community and the community center. There are a lot of different aspects that that was programmed to do,” said Long. “To me it was a very viable project to use the community to build it to keep the cost down.”

Another project that was suggested was the need to replace the heating system. The board agreed to add both projects to the Facility and Maintenance focus area. They also formed a committee to address facility and maintenance needs.

Every focus area received some votes, as marked with stickers from the board members. The Teaching and Learning – Authentic Literacy received the most votes with Financial Stability and School Climate and Culture tied for second.

The focus areas with the lowest support for board members were the Extended Day/Week/Year Programming and College and Career Readiness. The board agreed they wanted to maintain the Friday programming and didn’t want to see it lost from the priorities. Some trustees said they didn’t vote for it because it was working well and did not need additional attention.

“Feels like to me this is a message to stay the course,” said Vann to which the board offered verbal agreement.

Rouse agreed Potomac School is on a good course. He will rearrange his tactics to represent the current board’s priorities.

The eighth graders reported they have raised $9,665 for the eighth grade trip. They moved Canyonlands to the top option. Including chaperons, the cost of the trip would be $10,710 excluding transportation. They still have several fundraisers ongoing. They also are exploring an option with Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures as a more local, less expensive option.

The board encouraged the eighth graders to make sure that the sign up form for the trip included the cost for everything including transportation, food and lodging, not just the activities so families had an estimate of cost before committing to the trip.

Due to the impact of the COVID virus, Rouse said the Copper League will not start the basketball seasons for boys or girls until January. The plan is to offer a five-week season for the boys followed by a five-week season for the girls. It is not yet determined when practices will start.

The annual Holiday Program is scheduled for Dec. 16 and Dec. 17. It will be presented by class to maintain the cohort groups and the number of attendees will be limited to 25 to follow the county guidelines. They are working on a live streaming option.

Rouse said they are also still planning to do the Missoula Children’s Theatre performance Jan. 11 with COVID precautions in place.

In other business:

• The board approved Nicole Scheer as a personal Care Attendant/Paraprofessional

• Kelsy Ployhar announced she is resigning from the board May 4, 2021. She was elected by acclimation in May 2020. She was first elected to the board in May 2014. “I have grown so much. This has helped me professionally more than anything else could. I’ve really enjoyed being able to be a part of this school,” Ployhar said. “I think it is good to be able to make an impact. I’ve really enjoyed my time.” The board will be looking for someone to fill her seat.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. For access information email Rouse at jrouse@potomacschoolmontana.us