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School board to request opinion of attorney general

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RONAN — Following a lengthy and contentious discussion on Monday, the Ronan School board approved the motion to forward a draft letter to the Lake County Attorney, requesting the Montana attorney general’s opinion on the doctrine of incompatible offices in regards to Gale Decker.

Decker serves as the Lake County Superintendent of Schools as well as the Ronan High School cross country head coach. He is also being considered for rehire as the assistant boys basketball coach. 

Decker has held both positions since 2006. The school board previously addressed the issue conflict of interest in December of 2006 and February of 2007, when they requested and received a legal opinion from Mitch Young. 

Young, who now serves as the Lake County Attorney, stated that there would be no such conflicts of interest if the school board followed a certain protocol that removed Decker from any conflicting situations. 

“Right now … we have statements from Mitch Young (and) we have legal opinion that there is no conflict,” Decker said during the discussion. “So as soon as we send this to the attorney general, it’s out of our hands.”

The board responded that they are requesting clarification after receiving different opinions from other entities, such as the Montana School Board Association.

“I want to make sure that we are doing the legal thing,” Ronan School Board Trustee Carmel Couture said. “We are not trying to get rid of Mr. Decker as a coach.” 

Many of Decker’s friends and colleagues spoke at the meeting, singing his praises as a coach. They reminded the board that he has developed the cross country program from three runners to 35 eager athletes, leading the team to three state championships. 

The board reassured the concerned parties that the issue has nothing to do with Decker as a coach, but everything to do with the legal aspect. 

“The appearance is you have a legal opinion saying there is no impediment for you to employ me from 2007,” Decker argued.

Six school board members were in favor of sending the letter to request the opinion of the Montana Attorney General, while Bob Cornwell voted against sending the letter. 

The issue of incompatible offices was brought up later by Decker in regards to hiring Lake County Sheriff Lucky Larson as the Ronan Activities Director. 

Larson will remain sheriff until January, while being employed by the district. Decker questioned the decision because of the sheriff’s position over the school resource officer.

“Four years down the road I am not going to be the sheriff,” Larson said. “Yes, I do have the authority over the SRO — he does work for me … (but) it’s not going to last. I’m retiring.”

The board unanimously approved Larson for the position of Ronan Activities Director.

The board also warmly congratulated Ronan Middle School principal Jim Gillhouse, who is retiring from the Ronan School District after 36 years. Gillhouse received a card and a gift certificate from the district and many faculty and staff present expressed their appreciation of his dedication to the Ronan School District. 

“On a very personal note, I too provide my gratitude and thank you,” Holmlund said. “Jim was my teacher, my coach, and ended up being my mentor and my wonderful friend.”

“I wish you nothing but clear roads, good snow and happy trails,” he added

Holmlund also introduced a new online informational tool that will be used by people attending school board meetings and school board trustees.

The website, www.ronank12.edu provides the public with the school board trustee packets, but excludes any personal or private information. 

It also includes information and schedules on athletic and extra-curricular activities. Holmlund plans on having infomration projected on a screen for public viewing during the Ronan School Board Meetings in the future. 

Brian Long from Long Engineering was present to discuss some of the track discrepancies on the recently constructed track and field. 

“When we first took on the project, we contacted the Montana High School Association,” Long said. 

He noted that his company designed everything according to the regulations and guidelines. 

He also mentioned that he will be on site in September to take note of any deteriorations or discrepancies. 

Track Coach Crystal Pitts and Jim Benn then presented the board with a list of 18 track and field improvements and corrections that need to be remedied. 

The corrections ranged from leveling out the high jump surface to adding a javelin area closer to the track and field area. 

As it stands now, athletes must make the trek to the elementary school to compete in the javelin event. 

According to Pitts, the trek is a half-mile round trip and conflicts with the athletes’ participation in  other events. 

Pitts would like to see the facility grow to become more conducive for track events and a safe venue for the athletes who compete in Ronan. 

The next school board meeting will be held on July 12. 

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