Coal Board Fully Funds School Grant ADA Phase II

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Jim Atchison present to the Coal Board on September 12, 2019

The Montana Coal Board approved a grant for $271, 303.00 on September 12, 2019 for access issues in the upper parking lot at Colstrip High School. This is the second grant the District was able to secure to offset the large deferred maintenance list totaling over $5.2 million. The prior Coal Board grant that was received in June 2019 was for $473,550.00.

Special thanks to the effort of the administration and board in the development and application of this grant. Bruce Brown, Brent Burton, Jim Atchison, Jody Williams, Rob Pontius, Tyler Busch and I presented in behalf of the application to address the following access issues from the upper parking lot to gymnasium: 1) handicap curb cuts at the upper parking lot to allow access to the building; 2) installation of a ramp from the entrance vestibule to the upper gymnasium level; 3) renovation of a storage area into a handicap accessible bathroom on the upper level of the gymnasium; 4) installation of a new upper level handrail and 5) the replacement of the upper parking doors into the vestibule and pool.

Too many times I have had people confined to wheelchairs apologize to me for taking the time to find them a place to watch a ballgame, graduation or some other type of activity in our school gym. This project will give them a bird's eye view of any gymnasium event from the mezzanine to the floor. The mezzanine access will be much to the liking of the Billings Metra. Our goal is to provide as much independent access as possible to allow folks in a wheelchair or walker access without having to ask for help. These people deserve the opportunity to attend events without apology or feeling like their attendance is dependent on others. This grant is so important on so many levels (literally).

Once again, this effort began last winter with community strategic planning meetings and has continued with a maintenance of effort by the board, administration and community. It is exhilarating seeing this type of support for Colstrip. Its a fist pump and cheer for our community.

Special thanks to the Coal Board and it's membership for their support and vision in seeing the value of the projects that have been presented to them on behalf of Colstrip Public Schools. The Coal Board is 100% funded by Montana coal severance tax. With that, I would humbly ask our community to thank the Coal Board Members for their support.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

John Williams, Chair
Colstrip, MT
District 2
Field: Impact Area
john.williams@mt.gov
Term: March 10, 2017 - January 1, 2021

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Sidney Fitzpatrick, Vice Chair
Hardin, MT
District 2
Field: Impact Area
sidney.fitzpatrick@mt.gov
Term: March 10, 2017 to January 1, 2021

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Sean Smith
Anaconda, MT
District 1
Field: Business

Term: May 31, 2019 to January 1, 2021

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Marianne Roose
Eureka, MT
District 1
Field: Public Administration
marianne.roose@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Veronica Small-Eastman
Lodge Grass, MT
District 2
Field: Education
veronica.small-eastman@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Tim Schaff
Roundup, MT
District 2
Field: Education
tim.schaff@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Amber Henning
Missoula, MT
District 1
Field: Attorney
amber.henning@mt.gov
Term: January 26, 2018 to January 1, 2021

Loss in Our Community Family

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I received a text last Sunday afternoon informing me that the fatality involved in a vehicle accident earlier in the morning outside of Ashland was Annie Bement. Annie is the mother of children that attend our schools as well as graduated from our school here in Colstrip. It is with heavy heart that the school district would like to pass on our condolences to the Bement family and all that are dealing with this tragedy. I know the people in Colstrip and the greater community that surrounds it are willing to extend themselves to the family in this time of need. Prayers and thoughts of peace and comfort go out from all of us here in Colstrip to the Bement family.

School Spirit and Coal Energy United in Gym Floor Design: It's a one of a kind GEM

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip High School gymnasium floor is definitely "a one of a kind gem," as defined by Steve Lalum, owner of High Performance Floors. The refurbishment of the gym floor was necessary, but how it would look and how it would be financed was unknown. The possibilities started to take shape with a grant from the Montana Coal Board. This last June, the Coal Board approved a grant for over $474,000 to address the floor needs and the handicap seating in the gymnasium. It was at that point that the design work began as Steve Lalum and his crew from High Performance Floors were ready to go to work. 

From the onset, the floor design was intended to unite our community with the contributions of students, parents, community and the industry that fuels this town and Montana. The fact that the coal industry financed and built Colstrip High School and now is paying for this major renovation certainly added to a design that incorporated more than just our school's logo and colors. The Board Facilities Committee, administrators and coaches worked with Steve and his crew to generate a basic design that would unite all of these faucets.

I really think Steve Lalum's description says it best in a series of tweets he made on August 21, 2019:

It incorporates elements from the proud, historic past of Colstrip, with elements of her progressive future. Running horses and horseshoes accent the corners while the new generation, massive horse head, dominates center court.

A strong, proud nod to the significant impact coal and energy play in the local and Montana economy also show in this beautiful floor with the smokey gray base, black borders, and dark gray 3 point arches. #MTCOAL takes it place in bold gold in the black borders and smokey gray floor.

Without a doubt, as much thought and consideration for local significance and importance went into this flirt, as any we have ever done. The entire High Performance crew wouldn't be happier or prouder to work on a floor than we are now with the completion of this job.

The people of Colstrip are looking forward with a positive, realistic outlook, and it has been our pleasure to finish this beautiful floor for them. Coal and energy are vitally important for Colstrip and all of Montana. All of us at High Performance Floors stand united with Colstrip! 

As a superintendent, there is so much satisfaction in seeing a vision become a reality. I certainly believe that #MTCOAL plays a critical role in the lives of the people of Montana. We hope this floor not only incorporates the energy industries contributions, but says thank you to the Montana Coal Board and the severance taxes that have fueled this project.

NEXT: I can't wait until the coal black bleachers are in place.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

CPS New Coach is Realized Through Depreciation Funds

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

When I arrived four years ago the Colstrip Board of Trustees laid out a plan to purchase a new coach to replace a Blue Bird coach commonly known as "C1." It has taken over five years of saving bus depreciation funds in order to purchase the new MCI coach bus. The timing was perfect as "C1" had been fully depreciated in the last fiscal year.

Every new route and coach bus is a depreciated asset as soon as it is purchased. The school district is able to leverage funding to replace these vehicles through the depreciated value of each vehicle. The depreciation funds are then used (and can only be used) to purchase and replace current route and coach buses.

I am very pleased with this purchase as it maximizes our staff and students' safety, support and belonging.  We have had problems in getting parts for C1 since Blue Bird discontinued making coach buses. Breakdowns were becoming more common and our District needed to execute it's plan to purchase a new coach.

The MCI J4500 is the top selling coach in the United States. It is a coach that is reliable up to one million miles. We are lucky to have this piece of equipment for our students to travel in. The bus is accented with our school logo and name. FMC 3D Printing and Design located right in Colstrip was able to decal and wrap the new coach.

I am not sure what it will be called by others, but I kinda like the title "Big and Beautiful." It certainly is all of that. I am sure our students will make the most of it and take special care.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

CPS Staff is Back to School to Make Dust

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Monday, August 19, 2019 marked the first day back to school for all of the staff. After an initial welcome and introductions in the auditorium, staff began ALERT Training in the CHS Commons. This group of professionals are eager to meet their students and Make Dust in 2019.

During the afternoon break, I managed to gather the staff for a photo in front of the new Coach.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Coal Board Fully Funds School Grant

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip Public School District grant application to the Montana Coal Board for ADA Compliance Modification and Improvements to the Colstrip High School Gymnasium was fully funded for $473,550.00 at the Montana Coal Board meeting on June 20, 2019. Of that amount $207,224.00 was a cash award and the remaining $266,326.00 is contingency biennium funding beginning July 1, 2019 (first priority).

This has been a project in the making for over a year with community strategic planning meetings, numerous board meetings and facility committee meetings.  There is so much work and planning that goes into a competitive grant process. It is such a thrill to see this project funded. When the award was unanimously approved by the Coal Board, I wanted to jump up, do a fist pump and cheer; however, I settled for a smile and the opportunity to thank the Coal Board. This award couldn't have come at a better time for our town and school.

Colstrip was awarded the grant to address ADA issues in our gymnasium seating and address the safety concerns with our gym floor. As for myself, I have helped too many people get up after falling down with our current bleacher system. Finding handicap seating is also been a problem. I know that tournaments bring a large number of people with disabilities and needs. It will be nice for them to have handrails and appropriate access to sit in the bleachers. 

The award not only addresses the need to replace the current gymnasium bleachers with ADA compliant bleachers as well as sanding, painting and refinishing of the gym floor, it also will allow the school district to address it's deferred maintenance list that totals over $3.5 million dollars. Anything we can do to help offset these types of expenses will certainly help minimize the taxpayers obligation and burden.

The Coal Board's support of this grant application will be experienced by thousands of southeastern Montanans in a single year. In fact, the district basketball tournament alone brings thousands of spectators, family members and fans by itself. This grant will be shared by all of our surrounding communities.

There are so many to thank for this award, and in the process, that I don't know where to start without leaving someone out. Whether you attended a strategic planning meeting, board meeting, facilities meeting or a ball game and mentioned the need to better serve the handicapped and the safety of students and community alike, thank you.  Thank you to those that stood along side and represented our school and community and provided a testimonial at the Coal Board Meeting: Brent Burton, Bruce Brown, Tyler Bush, Jim Atchison, Joanne Schrupp and Jody Bird Williams. Thank you supporting legislators like Representative Kenneth Holmlund, Senator Barry Usher and Senator Duane Ankney, just to name a few, for their continued support of the Coal Board. Special thanks to our Mayor John Williams for his leadership and guidance throughout this whole process.

Most of all, thank you Montana Coal Board and Staff for seeing the need and the opportunities here in Colstrip Montana. The Coal Board is 100% funded by Montana coal severance tax. With that, I would humbly ask our community to thank the Coal Board Members for their support:

John Williams, Chair
Colstrip, MT
District 2
Field: Impact Area
john.williams@mt.gov
Term: March 10, 2017 to January 1, 2021

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Sidney Fitzpatrick, Vice Chair
Hardin, MT
District 2
Field: Impact Area
sidney.fitzpatrick@mt.gov
Term: March 10, 2017 to January 1, 2021

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Sean Smith
Anaconda, MT
District 1
Field: Business

Term: May 31, 2019 to January 1, 2021

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Marianne Roose
Eureka, MT
District 1
Field: Public Administration
marianne.roose@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Veronica Small-Eastman
Lodge Grass, MT
District 2
Field: Education
veronica.small-eastman@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Tim Schaff
Roundup, MT
District 2
Field: Education
tim.schaff@mt.gov
Term: February 15, 2019 to January 1, 2023

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Amber Henning
Missoula, MT
District 1
Field: Attorney
amber.henning@mt.gov
Term: January 26, 2018 to January 1, 2021

Graduation 2019

Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Friday was the last day for 35 seniors at Colstrip High School. The day started with graduation rehearsal before walking the halls at Pine Butte Elementary and Frank Brattin Middle School. There were a few sentimental moments watching these students finish up with their formal education. The Class of 2019 was my freshman class when I arrived. They were so young back then, and now are ready to go out on their own.

Best of luck Class of 2019. Like always "Make Dust or Eat Dust!" Most of all, I wish you happiness. Wait..., I am not done yet: BE YOUR BEST SELVES! One more thing...don't forget to call home!

See you all on Sunday, May 19, 2019 for the Colstrip High School Graduation at 2:00 PM at the High School Gymnasium.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

Class of 2019 with the teachers that taught them at PBES.