Teachers and parents urge trustees to delay insurance change and strengthen bullying policies

A string of public comments at the Missoula County Public Schools board meeting focused on two distinct concerns: a proposed move to the Bridge Health Alliance for employee insurance and the district’s handling of bullying and restorative meetings.

Cindy Arnett, a special‑education teacher at Big Sky High School, said the potential savings from joining Bridge are "all potential" and warned trustees that Bridge had "had a hard time meeting their promises for delivery up to this point." Arnett asked the board to "pump the brakes" and to favor the security of the current plan over uncertain savings.

Parent and staff commenters raised specific gaps they said remain unanswered about Bridge: signed contracts with Community Hospital for maternity care, continuity of dental and vision benefits, and whether telehealth and second‑opinion services would continue. "We have yet to see signed contracts from Community Hospital," Samantha Stoki told trustees, adding that some ancillary services have been lifesaving for employees and should not be assumed preserved.

A second thread of public comment documented parents' and students' experiences with bullying responses in MCPS schools. Student and parent speakers recounted episodes they said showed inconsistent enforcement and poor mediation practices. Sophomore Maddie Miller described being surprised by a principal‑led meeting she called "unprepared" that left her distressed and said disciplinary follow-through varied across cases. Emily Miller told trustees that a surprise meeting held without prior notice had worsened her daughter's anxiety and that a subsequent "no contact" contract had not resolved the behavior; she urged adherence to handbook protocols for physical altercations.

Sam Duncan, coordinator of the Missoula Parent Leadership Training Institute at United Way, testified that his group's alumni repeatedly find racism, discrimination and bullying among the top problems families raise, and he urged the board to partner with parents and students on policy revisions. Amber Buchanan and other parents said bullying has driven some families to consider leaving Missoula schools.

Superintendent Micah Hill acknowledged the comments and said the board's policy committee is reviewing bullying policy and that the district plans to present data, current policies and possible improvements at a future meeting. Trustees did not vote on insurance policy changes during the meeting; they heard public concerns and noted the issue may return for future action.