Ronan superintendent stays
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN — Superintendent Andrew Holmlund will continue at Ronan schools, after he considered and turned down a position in Miles City.
“There’s still work to be done,” Holmlund said, adding he wants to focus on graduation rates, student retention and academic rigor.
A new face, though, will be Kevin Kenelty, who will take on the principal position at Ronan High School. In April, school board members hired Kenelty, who is currently seventh-12th principal in the Poplar district. Interview committee members recommended Kenelty after completing interviews in late March.
Kenelty’s resume includes a bachelor’s degree in history, political science and psychology from Jamestown College, a master’s in educational leadership from Montana State University and a teaching certification from the University of Montana. He began work in the Poplar district in 1996 as a social studies teacher, and he lists coaching softball, wrestling and football on his resume.
Also in April, board members approved the rehire of teachers. All contracts were renewed, Holmlund said.
Teachers are going into the third year of a five-year contract. They will receive a 3 percent raise this year, while insurance benefits will remain level. Their contracts provided a 2-percent pay increase the first year and a 3-percent raise each of the following three years, as well as for a 4-percent raise the fifth year.
Holmlund said he will make a recommendation concerning certified employees’ salaries and benefits for next year during May’s board meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 14.
Because of gradual cuts over the past few years, no drastic cuts to personnel or programs are expected for next year’s $5,399,649 elementary and $2,150,623 high school budgets, he added. The district has absorbed administrative and supervisor positions, as well as coaching and activities positions, during recent years.
The budgets must be finalized by August.
