Romero named Ronan’s newest trustee
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RONAN — The Ronan School Board appointed Roger Romero as the board’s newest trustee at a school board meeting on Monday.
Romero takes the place of former trustee Jim Blow, who also served as the board’s vice chairperson.
“The role of a board member is to really be the voice of the people and stand up for what the voters really want to see happen,” Romero said during an interview.
Romero ran for the trustee position unopposed. The school board nominated Carmel Couture as the board’s new vice chairperson.
The board also received a letter of advice from the Montana Attorney General’s Office, clarifying the board’s previous concerns with rehiring Lake County Superintendent Gale Decker as assistant boys basketball coach for the 2010-11 school year.
At the school board meeting in June, the board approved sending a letter to the attorney general requesting clarification of the incompatible offices policy in regards to Decker.
The letter of advice, received on Aug. 2, stated that it wasn’t a conflict of interest.
Decker was rehired as the head cross country coach in December and will serve as Lake County Superintendent of Schools, assistant basketball coach and head cross country coach for the 2010-11 school year.
First Interstate Bank Wealth Advisor Drew Shealy presented options for a school district investment account.
Under Montana Code Annotated 20-9-235, school district trustees may opt to have the district’s assets handled by a private entity such as First Interstate Bank.
Shealy listed several advantages of using First Interstate. He said the district will have increased control of their funds from the state, federal government and property taxes and will operate independent of the Lake County treasurer.
He also mentioned that First Interstate Bank offers reduced fees and will provide investment expertise.
During the meeting, Ronan Superintendent Andy Holmlund stated that the Great Falls School District has used First Interstate Bank to handle their assets since 2004. Other schools within Lake County have also started using the system, but Shealy couldn’t name the district due to privacy issues.
In a phone interview the following day, Decker stated that as of July 1, Polson School District 23 moved their assets from the Lake County Treasurer to First Interstate Bank.
Ronan’s school board also approved changing K. William Harvey’s Dean of Students/Reading Specialist Shelley Andres to Vice Principal.
“I am fully comfortable and confident that it will be handled very well,” trustee Carmel Couture said. “I think it’s something that needs to be done now.”
The next school board meeting will be held Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Ronan High School Library.
