Ode to Our Educators

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

SUPERINTENDENT NOTE TO STAFF:

Staff,

As we finish up with the 2020-2021 School Year, I can't help but be appreciative and honored by all of the employees at Colstrip Public Schools. You all went above and beyond in making this year successful for our students as well as our educational community.

It was a hard year to say the very least. We have lost. We are exhausted, but we have endured. Your perseverance and resilience indicated a resolve that is seldom seen. 

I am so proud of you and our school. I hope you are able to take some time during the summer break to realize just how extraordinary your efforts have been. We may have eaten a lot of DUST, but you certainly have shown that you can MAKE DUST as well! 

Thank you for your work on the FRONTLINE of this pandemic! Thank you for your courage to do your job amidst of sickness and uncertainty. Thank you for modeling a fortitude of faith in continuing on as well as the grace required to help others.

Your efforts during this pandemic have been noble, honorable and deserving of more than what can be said or done after the fact. Regardless, I hold you in the highest regard for your service. I only hope that others can, and will, see the heroics of our nation through the efforts of our EDUCATORS that kept their doors open despite the uncertainty of a pandemic. COLSTRIP DID IT! There are others that are yet to open their school doors.

I pray that we never have to face such difficulties, uncertainties, and such loss again. I pray that we are stronger and better going forward. I look forward to seeing you in 2021-2022.

 

Thank you and God Bless! Have a wonderful summer break! You deserve every moment of happiness that summer may bring.

Superintendent Bob Lewandowski

 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

College Graduates Wanted for Teaching Positions

 by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Looking for College Graduates. Most everyone in the country is aware of the national teaching shortage. Here at Colstrip we too are searching for teachers. At this time we have 4 elementary teaching positions open, 1 high school business teaching position and 1 special education position. We have filled several positions already. Moving forward, the District has utilized Emergency Authorizations from the Office of Public Instruction to fill positions. This year, the 67th Legislature made revisions to the Montana Annotated Code to attract more professionals to teaching.

Make no debate about it, the District is seeking professionals, but we realize they come with different educational backgrounds. Not having a teaching certification will not limit an individual from an opportunity to teach. With that being said, we want to encourage those that have a bachelor of arts or science degree from an accredited college or university as well as significant experience in the area of teaching to apply for employment at Colstrip Public Schools. You can go on line at https://colstripsd19mt.sites.thrillshare.com/page/job-opportunities and apply for the openings listed.

See Emergency Authorization (MCA 20-4-11 2021) below for more information:

As outlined by HB 246

Section 6. Section 20-4-111, MCA, is amended to read: "20-4-111. Emergency authorization of employment.

(1) A district may request from the superintendent of public instruction an emergency authorization of employment for a person who is not the holder of a valid Montana teacher or specialist certificate and a required endorsement as an instructor of pupils when the district cannot secure the services of a person holding a valid Montana certificate and a required endorsement. The person must have previously held a valid teacher or specialist certificate from Montana or another state or shall provide acceptable evidence of academic qualifications or significant experience related to the area for which the emergency authorization of employment is being sought as prescribed by the policies of the board of public education for and during an emergency. Emergency authorization of employment must indicate:

(a) the district to which the authorization is issued;

(b) the person whom the district is authorized to employ;

(c) the endorsement for elementary or secondary instruction and the specific subject fields for which authorization to employ the person is given; and

(d) the school fiscal year for which the emergency authorization of employment is given.

(2) Emergency authorization of employment of a person is valid for the school fiscal year identified on the authorization and may be renewed in accordance with the board of public education policies. A fee not to exceed $6 and, if no teacher or specialist certificate or emergency authorization of employment has ever been issued for the person, a filing fee of $6 must be paid for the issuance of an emergency authorization of employment. The superintendent of public instruction shall deposit the fees with the state treasurer to the credit of the general fund.

(3) Emergency authorization of employment of a person may be revoked for good cause in accordance with the provisions of 20-4-110."

Vote YES for Kids: Building Reserve Levy

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

TRUSTEE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A BUILDING RESERVE LEVY ELECTION BE IT RESOLVED:

The Board of Trustees for School District No. 19, Rosebud County, State of Montana, will hold a special levy election on Tuesday, the 15th day of June, 2021, which date is not less than seventy (70) days after the passage of this resolution. The election will be conducted by Mail Ballot. The first purpose of the election is to authorize the district to impose a levy each year for five (5) years beginning July 1, 2021, to raise the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) per year and being approximately 2.62 mills per year for a maximum of One Million Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,875,000) to fund the Building Reserve of the elementary school district for the purpose of addressing playground drainage issues at Pine Butte Elementary School, the demolition of IBCLC and for projects involving safety and security, general repair and maintenance, construction, and renovation. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.04 per year and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $8.09 per year. 

The second purpose of the election is to authorize the district to impose a levy each year for five (5) years beginning July 1, 2021, to raise the sum of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000) per year and being approximately 2.62 mills per year for a maximum of One Million Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($1,875,000) to fund the Building Reserve of the high school district for the purpose of renovating public and academic restrooms to meet ADA code, repair sidewalks, upper and lower parking lot improvements, and for projects involving safety and security, general repair and maintenance, construction, and renovation. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $4.04 per year and on a home with a market value of $200,000 by approximately $8.09 per year.

 Ballots go out in the mail on May 27, 2021.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"