A glance at Polson Schools
courtesy photo
Polson High School hosted our annual College Fair on Wednesday, 9/28 in partnership with the Montana Post Secondary Educational Opportunities Council (MPSEOC). PHS students, along with students from other area high schools, had the chance to visit with representatives from over 70 different colleges, universities, trade schools, military and career assistance organizations.
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News from the Polson School District
POLSON — Polson Schools will be submitting frequent articles to The Valley Journal about things happening in our schools. We believe that our greatest strength lies in the unity of our community. By working together, we can provide a safe learning environment where diverse educational opportunities support an outcome of well-educated, skilled and productive individuals who are ready to participate in and contribute to their communities.
Polson Schools has formed a “School Improvement Committee.” This committee will work to identify, propose, garner input and complete an all-inclusive plan for improved school safety, efficiency, and job training. Great schools make great communities! The Polson School Board of Trustees at the Sept. 12 board meeting adopted this committee’s goals and objectives listed below. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact any of the following committee members or Mike Cutler, Polson Schools Superintendent.
Committee Members: Devon Cox, Chairman, Shauna Rubel, Joanna Browning, John Laimbeer, Becky Dupuis, John Mercer, Mike Cutler, Tom DiGiallonardo, Andy Fors, Kristin Wilson, John Gustafson, Kipp Lewis
Goals and Objectives:
- Make recommendations to the Polson School District #23 School Board regarding:
Improved educational opportunities
Building and Grounds
Safety and Security
Vocational and Job Training
Other matters regarding school improvement
- Facilitate, gathering, and sharing school improvement information and ideas by:
Identifying and working with interested groups within our community
Communicating with class liaisons
Communicating with parents, staff, taxpayers, community organizations and local, state, and national government officials
Collecting and incorporating community-based input
Fundraising for community activities, notices, forums, etc.
Educational Improvements we are currently working on:
- Cherry Valley
Alignment of new reading curriculum to state standards
Improve consistent student attendance
Increase social and emotional well-being
- Linderman
Increase student engagement
Implement Instructional Strategies
Increase entry point for reading interventions
Improve consistent student attendance
- Polson Middle School
Improve culture and climate of school
Open PMS earlier for student access
Welcome students in a positive setting
Improve consistent student attendance
Increase student activity eligibility
- Polson High School
Improve consistent student attendance (Early Interventions)
Continue to provide increasing incentives for student success
Establish and improve Vo-tech career and workforce training opportunities
Building/campus Improvements we are currently working on:
- Cherry Valley
New safety and security system
Update entry for improved safety and security
Five additional classrooms, four additional small group classrooms, one music room
Update bathrooms and an additional set
Update windows to meet safety standards
- Linderman
New safety and security system
Three additional special education classrooms
Two additional regular instruction classrooms
Provide adequate library space
Music room
Update windows to meet safety standards
- Polson Middle School
New safety and security system
Upgrade kitchen
Create a common area within the existing building including a retractable wall
Update windows to meet safety standards
- Polson High School
New safety and security system
Nine additional classrooms, one additional music room
New Career and Technical Education space
Update science labs
Update windows to meet safety standards
Cost Savings and Affordability Goals:
- Reduce and streamline the scope of prior building projects
- Insist on Value Engineering for low-cost construction alternatives
- Require the project for the four schools be less than $40 million, a 20% reduction from the previously proposed bond project
- Work with state, federal and private donors for matching funds to reduce the amount needed from local property taxpayers
Election Date and other School improvements:
Set the school bond election for May 2, 2023, due to the urgent need and the desire to focus the community on school improvement. Recommend that the School Improvement Committee become a permanent committee with rotating membership to maintain community focus on our shared objective to always work toward always improving our schools.
