Parents voice opinions at Charlo meeting
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CHARLO — A larger-than-normal crowd was in attendance at Charlo’s regular school board meeting March 20, mainly to voice concerns with how school administration handled travel arrangements for the boys’ basketball team to the Divisional Tournament in Butte. One community member read a letter aloud, stating two winter weather advisories were in effect during the trip and that many students got home around 2 a.m., some to an empty home since their parents had made hotel arrangements in Butte. This was due to the weather, and the fact that the boys returned to Butte the following day for a second game. Parents also made claims that Jenkins had previously stated he didn’t trust the students staying in a motel together overnight in Butte, and that the gap between the two games was too long.
Parents who stayed in Butte that evening had the option to sign their kids out to stay with them, but many students still rode the bus back to Charlo.
“Other teams had backup plans; we didn’t,” the concerned woman said. “It’s a horrible attitude towards the boys, who were District Champions. It was unacceptable and inconsiderate-not in the best interest of the boys.”
“It took us three and a half hours to get to Butte, and we had to pull over a few times (because of the storm),” parent Sheila Young added. “I don’t think it should have been an issue. It’s very disheartening.”
After the concerned parents spoke their piece, Charlo superintendent Paul Jenkins responded.
“We never said the students could not be trusted,” Jenkins assured the parents. “I made the decision for various reasons and have all the respect in the world for these kids.”
Once the heated debate was over, the board went on with the agenda, where Jenkins discussed the district’s financial outlook for the coming school year. According to Jenkins, the school’s enrollment is steadily dropping from year to year, which decreases revenue. The drop in numbers could cause the district to see a cut of around $80,000 in revenue, which is only half of the amount they lost last year.
“We have to look at things from the bottom up,” Jenkins said. “We’ll have to make some cuts, but our intent is to not have a negative impact on education.”
Over the years, Charlo’s finance statements show more money coming in, but Charlo Schools business manager and clerk Sarah Vaughan says that’s because the school is receiving more grant money, which doesn’t go into the general fund. Grant funds must be used only in specific areas designated by the grant.
“Our finance statements show revenue increasing, but the revenue in the general fund goes down,” Vaughan said. “Which pays the bills.”
In other business, trustees approved Charlo High School principal Steve Love’s contract for the 2012-13 school year. Love requested the same salary and one additional personal day to his current 10-day allowance.
“I’d like for (the number of days) to stay the same,” trustee Duane Weible said. “I’m voting against, not because I don’t support Mr. Love; it’s just because of the extra day.”
The board was hung after a 2-2 vote, and Weible made a motion to not give the extra day. The motion then passed 3-1.
“It's just leverage,” Weible added, suggesting other teachers and staff would ask for the same treatment if the board granted Love the day.
After approving Love’s contract, trustees moved on to address the athletic director contract for the 2012-13 school year. At the Feb. 21 meeting, trustees talked about complaints they had heard from parents, and wanted to look at the job description before making their decision at the March 20 meeting. Current AD Clair Rasmussen decided to have a closed session for the debate, and audience members who wanted to voice their opinions were called in one by one. After re-opening the session to the public, trustees announced a decision to open the position for the 2012-13 school year.
Charlo’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be April 17 in the library.
