Colstrip board approves multiple hires, contracts, insurance renewals and CTE courses; public comments raise Title IX concern

At its meeting the Colstrip Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a package of routine but operationally important items: multiple personnel hires and rehires, contracted special‑education services for 2026‑27, renewals of property/liability and workers' compensation insurance, updates to employee benefits policy dates, CTE course approvals tied to Perkins funding and career endorsements, and disposal of obsolete school property per policy 7251.

Personnel and hires: The board approved hire motions (listed in the meeting packet) including the certified hire of Jeremy Brett Edmonds for a district special‑education teacher, the seasonal hire of Ethan Emerson for summer 2026, Emily Vincent as the FBMS NJHS sponsor for 2026‑27, and the rehire of Janelle Asbury as non‑affiliated adult education coordinator at a listed stipend of $4,500. The board recorded motions and seconds for each hire during the consent/new‑business portion of the meeting.

Special‑education contracts: Special education director Jen Hers presented recommended contractors for occupational therapy (Erica Norland), speech‑language pathology (Jessica Dworth), school psychologists (Steve Willis and Sonia McNees) and physical therapy services (Colstrip Medical Center). The board approved the contracts after noting small price increases.

Insurance and benefits: The business manager presented the MSGIA property and liability renewal (premium listed at $353,916) and explained an invoiced litigation total of $510 (with $186 paid to date) that contributed to the increase; the board approved the renewal. The board also approved the MSGIA workers' compensation renewal after staff noted a low‑claims year and improved reporting. Separately, the board approved renewing Mutual of Omaha group life and disability coverage for 2026‑27 and approved edits to policy 5331 to remove fixed enrollment dates and align renewal timing with the district's benefit calendar.

CTE and curriculum: Nicole Christian presented a set of high‑school CTE course approvals (health care occupations, anatomy/physiology, medical terminology, CNA, CMA, dental assisting and therapeutic services work experience) that the board approved; the presenter noted Perkins grant funding and dual‑credit options to help students attain workforce endorsements.

Facilities and inventory: The board approved disposal of obsolete inventory items for Pine View Elementary under policy 7251 after staff recommended curriculum review for some textbook sets and noted that items with liability issues (old football helmets) are being destroyed rather than sold.

Public participation and process: In public comment Christine Grant requested placement on a future agenda to discuss allegations she described about board conduct during an active Title IX and criminal investigation; staff advised following the district grievance process (file a 1700 complaint) as the appropriate first step. Aydah Graham raised a late‑enrollment case and staff agreed to follow up and provide a copy of the referenced letter to the family.

Recorded votes: For many agenda items the meeting shows motions carried with roll‑call responses recorded in the transcript for members who spoke during vote prompts (Francis, Sabrina, Barb). The transcript does not provide full, named roll‑call tallies for every action; where only partial roll call appears in the record the article notes the names recorded and that the full roll‑call roster is not included in the transcript.

Next steps: Several approvals require administrative follow‑through: contracting with recommended providers, posting the technology director position (separately authorized), finalizing job descriptions, and returning policies for formal adoption when staff drafts final language.