001Oh boy. Kelly, come your own. >> Yeah, that one's long. >> Wait, why is it like it's here twice? Oh, Kelly Bashard. There it is. Okay. >> Did you clear that with someone? >> Stacy not going to be here? >> Oh, she need a computer, too? >> I never heard. >> I don't know if she's popping in. >> Did you hear from Stacy? She's got a long comment, too. If she was here, I'd make her do her own, too. >> I'm fine. It's >> I'm just being Sloan Larson. I think everybody that submitted is here too. Well, most of them. >> Yeah. We all just come over and read your own. Should make Dave do it. Dave's so much better at reading out loud than I am. >> Will you read the public comments out
002loud? >> Thank you. I'll wait for to give us the >> Paul. Are we >> okay? Uh, we're going to go ahead and get started. If you'll join me in the pledge, please. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America. and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you for coming tonight. Um, any person present who wishes to address the board or raise any questions about public district matters or governing policies may do so under public participation. No discussion of personnel or individual students is permitted at this time. A limit of three minutes is placed on each speaker. Persons who want more time may make arrangements to be placed on a future agenda. The public is also
003reminded that they may provide input on all motions being considered by the board at this meeting. Additionally, anyone wishing to make public comment virtually may submit the following form. Okay. Uh we'll go ahead and jump right in. I think we have quite a few public comments. So, um if you want to I guess start with those, Jackie. >> Sure. Um, and anybody that's here, if you would like to read your own public comment, just let me know. More than welcome to. Uh, first one is from basically the current um, administration. Uh, Andrea Myers, Mark Goyette, Cameron Barber, Jenny Fox, Gwenpool, Cole, Cavern, Kevin, and Rob Dill, Mr. D. Given the time of year and the need for more comprehensive search process, we believe the best course of action is for the board to appoint an
004interim sub superintendent and begin the formal search process next fall for the 2728 school year. As time is of the essence, we believe that this appointment should be made as soon as possible, but no later than July 1st. We would encourage the board to engage with MTSBA regarding advice or naming an interim and establishing a one-year contract with that individual. Thank you for your consideration. Next comment is from Jennifer Quenberry. We voted for change because many of us felt a new direction was needed for the district. Meaningful change requires looking at every level of leadership including administration. As we move forward, I believe it is important to bring in leadership from outside the district. Individuals who can provide a fresh perspective and make decisions independently without existing relationships or influences affecting the process. New ideas,
005new leadership, and an objective viewpoint can help ensure the changes the community voted for or given a fair opportunity to succeed. Chelsea Seymour comment. I hope the board chooses to post the superintendent position and conduct a s thorough search to attract qualified applicants who come with appropriate lensure and most and most experienced. I want to be clear that I think Mr. Kinsey is doing an excellent job as assistant superintendent and I hope he continues in that role. My comments are not a reflection of his abilities or potential. I am not aware of all his qualifications or lensure and it is entirely possible that though a form through a formal application the interview process he may prove to be the best candidate for the position. However, I believe it is important that the district conducts a
006professional search process and evaluates all qualified applicants. Lockwood is experiencing the opportunities and challenges that come with growth, including operating a new high school and navigating the developing pains of growing district. Because of this, I believe that the board should seek candidates with the appropriate lensure and demonstrated leadership experience and determine through the hiring process who is best qualified to lead the district forward. I would also encourage the board to focus on finding the best candidate rather than focusing on short-term cost savings by avoiding the use of a professional search or hiring service. This is one of the most important decisions the board will make and investing in a thorough and professional search process can help ensure the district attracts the strongest pool of qualified candidates. Kelly Buchard. Regarding the superintendent search, I believe one
007of the most significant mistakes the board can make would be to simply promote existing staff into a vacant position interim or otherwise. While this approach may appear to be the easiest solution or even a cost-saving measure, I believe it would ultimately be detrimental to the long-term success of the district. There are several members of the current administration who are performing well in their existing roles. Specifically, I believe Mr. Kinsey has been effective as an assistant superintendent and continues to provide value in that capacity. However, recognizing the strengths of individual administrators does not necessarily mean that promoting from within is the right decision for the district at this time. The district is currently facing what uh the district is currently facing challenges that require meaningful change, not merely a reshuffleling of existing personnel. filling leadership vacancies
008with current administration administrators risks reinforcing a perpetuating issues many community members have expressed concerns about for years. There is widespread perception that internal relationships, established social circle circles and organizational politics have become too deeply embedded with the current administrative structure. Whether those perceptions are entire entirely accurate or not, they have contributed to a significant erosion of public trust. Our community has made it clear repeatedly and empathetically that it wants change. Promoting existing staff into higher level leadership positions is likely to restore confidence or address the concerns that has been voiced. Instead, the district would benefit from bringing in an experienced leader from outside the current administrative structure. someone who can provide a fresh perspective clear and clear professional boundaries, make decisions free from existing alliances and focus solely on what is best for student staff
009and the community. I also believe the board should deeply reflect on the decisions made during the previous superintendent search. At that time, the interim appointments were made during a period of urgency and uncertainty, but those temporary arrangements ultimately became long-term solutions without producing the level of change many community members expected. In my view, the district has paid a substantial price for that approach and repeating it would be a mistake. For those reasons, I do not believe that expanding the con the contracts or advancing the positions of current administrators is the appropriate course of action at this time. Furthermore, recent comments submitted by a group of administrators have unfortunately fueled community speculation that some individuals may already be positioning themselves for advancement. Regardless of whether those perceptions are justified, they underscore the importance of conducting a
010transparent search process that prioritizes public trust and demonstrates the board's commitment to genuine change. The district has a crucial opportunity to move forward in a new direction. I strongly encourage the board to seek external candidates who can bring fresh leadership and rebuild confidence within the community and help create a stronger future for our schools. My hope is that the process is transparent, professional, and focused on finding the candidate with the experience, credentials, and leadership skills needed to best serve our student, staff, and community. Thank you, Stacy L. I am very sorry that I'm not able to attend the special meeting tonight. I am out on a out of town trip and that has been planned for months. Regardless, I have input for public consideration. Given the superintendent vacancy, I believe it is imperative that the
011board appoint an interim superintendent immediately. This is ongoing and unnecessary delay creates uncertainty for employees, family, students, and the administrative team. The district continues to operate. Budgets must be man continues to operate. Budgets must be managed. Personnel decisions must be made. Negotiations continue. Planning for the upcoming school year is underway and countless day-to-day matters require executive leadership. What makes the situation particularly straightforward is that we already have a highly qualified candidate serving within our district. If Kelly Kinsey's resume arrived on our desk from outside the district, I believe we would be eager to interview him based on his qualifications, experience, institutional knowledge, and proven leadership. We do not need to speculate about his abilities. They are demonstrated in real time every day. Beyond qualification, there is a practical consideration that cannot be ignored. The board
012ultimately hires an outside interimm superintendent. Mr. Kinsey would almost certainly be the person responsible for bringing that individual up to speed on the district's operational operations, personal personnel, finances, programs, facilities, community relationships, and ongoing initiatives. In other words, the person who would train the new interim is already here. It is well known that Kelly has the respective teachers, staff, administrators, students, and members of the community. Over the past several weeks, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential impact that bypassing internal leadership could have on current employee morale, organizational stability, and staff retention. We have been given clear indications that some employees are closely watching how this transition is handled and may make future employment decisions based on the board's actions. That should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an important information that deserves
013thoughtful consideration. As trustees, it would be irresponsible to ignore those concerns. The cost of this decision could extend well beyond filling a single position. Spending additional taxpayer dollars, particularly considering an already strapped budget, on an extensive search process for an interim position will simultaneously delay a leadership appointment is obviously fiscally irresponsible and operationally inefficient when we already have a qualified administrator capable of stepping into the role immediately. This is not a statement about bypassing the future permanent superintendent search. The board should absolutely take the time necessary to conduct a thorough and deliberate search for a long-term superintendent. However, that is precisely why appointing an interim now makes sense. It provides stability, continu continuity, and leadership while allowing the board to undertake a thoughtful permanent search without rushing critical decisions. Appointing an interimm superintendent immediately is
014the most responsible course of action. And given the qualifications already present within our district, the board should seriously consider utilizing the talent and experience we already have rather than delaying action and creating unnecessary instability. Sloan Larson. Many of us voters elected a new board because we want change in the district, including leadership. The decision made by the current administration over the last year has proven that change in the administration has to occur. There's no harm in operating the sup opening the superintendent position up to see if Lockwood can get a qualified people who are up for the task of fixing the district. Three years ago, we decided not to open the position up and I as a taxpayer and parent think it was a huge mistake. I am not the only one who feels this
015way and you can see from the massive decline in high school enrollment. Please open the superintendent position immediately. Drew Johnson, as you discuss the upcoming superintendency vacancy, I'm writing to strongly urge the board to initiate a comprehensive, transparent, and far-reaching search for a next district leader. Lockwood schools are at a critical crossroads. Recently, our district has faced significant challenges regarding transparency, public trust, and administrative decision-making to heal those divisions and move forward in the best interest of our students and taxpayers. We need a fresh perspective. I respectfully request that the board does not default to automatically promoting internal candidates to the superintendent role. While internal promotions can sometimes offer continuity, what Lockwood needs right now is not a continuation of the current administrative status quo. We need an objective external leader who can restore public
016confidence, strictly adhere to a procedural compliance, and rebuild trust with parents and staff. A comprehensive search process will demonstrate to the community that the board is committed to finding the absolute best candidate available rather than taking the path of least resistance. Please fulfill your noneleatable duty to the community by opening this position to a competitive farreaching search. Thank you for your time. >> Good job that was in there. We did a full search with NTSBA. There was not appointed that was a full search done with NTSBA here. So critical. Thank you for that, Mr. Chrisman. Okay. Any other Was there any other submitted correspondents? Okay. >> I couldn't hear Mr. Chrisman. >> Superintendent >> comment there, Lacy. >> I can't hear. >> Mr. Chrisman was Okay. >> I just said, Dave, can you hear me,
017Dave? >> Barely. Can you speak up, please? >> Yeah. I I just said, Dave, that we did do a horrible search for superintendent when I was hired through NTSBA. They ran the search. They vetted the candidates, everything. Okay. I just wanted to clear that up because it was said repeatedly that we did not do a search and I was just appointed. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um so we'll go ahead and move on to the superintendent transition planning. Um as you can see we attached MTSBA memo. Uh put some information from MTSBA from our last meeting. I know there was a lot of questions about the process about what MTSBA would offer um that kind of stuff. So, we did go ahead and um follow up with MTSBA on those questions and reaching out
018to them. Um Jackie and I had a conversation with Deborah Silk um just in regards to the options that were available. Um and so, as you can see, those are there for the board. Um, and then just to keep the meeting moving and everything, um, I did go ahead and put a recommendation based on the information that, um, was provided to us. So, at this time, if you guys feel comfortable with the information, um, I I would take a motion. I motion that the board approve allowing board leadership with legal counsel to work with the assistant superintendent Jensen on the transition plan related to contract terms, compensation, and duties necessary for the continued operations of the district. >> I second it. >> Okay. So, I have a first from charity and a second from Dave
019to allow board leadership to work with legal counsel to work with the assistant superintendent, Kelly Kinsey, on a transition plan related to contract terms, compensation, and duties which is necessary for the continued operations. Any questions from the public? Discussion from the public. Any discussion, additional discussion from the board on that ad? Yeah, just for clarification, this means that you are going, the board leadership is going to work on getting Kelly Kinsey as the interim superintendent. >> Um, we are going to work with Kelly Kinsey on all of this. What that looks like, I don't know because we haven't had a conversation with MTSBA or we haven't really settled on anything with Kelly. Excuse my language or excuse my throat. I have a question because I guess as I mentioned this you guys are going to
020discuss all this but it will come back to us for sure. >> Correct. Correct. So this just is authorizing us because we've had conversations with MTSBA and we've had brief conversations with Kelly but we haven't come to any dis decision. So this is just allowing us to continue and or have more of those conversations and then we would come back with that recommendation. When can we expect that recommendation? >> Um, by the end of June. I had hoped that it would be on June's meeting and it's not. So, I think we're going to look at a special meeting sometime after next week or next week or later. I don't know. I mean, it depends on how long it takes. >> That was my question. But that way, if for some reason Kelly decided not to
021take this position, we still got two weeks to search. Yeah, we can definitely see what's available for with MTSBA. >> Would you like me to put that on the Tuesday? >> I need to I need to check with Deborah just to see if she's available. >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh any other questions on that? >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Okay, we'll continue those conversations and come back with a recommendation. Uh the next item was the superintendent search process. Um again, I think that we left here uh last week with some questions. Um I know that we did approve to post that job position to OPI. Um but I think there was questions about whether or not it was an interim, whether it was permanent. um all
022of the things we did, I believe, settle on permanent last week. And then so this is really just an item for discussion since we've already agreed that we plan to go out for a full superintendent. >> Are we discussing could they be like Bel Martin and PSBA using one of these? >> So, so we will next. Um but also thanks for asking that charity. So, one of the other things that came up last week is um making sure that we had a process in place um because there was again a lot of confusion at questions as to what this would look like. Uh so, at this time, I would also like to appoint three board members to serve on that committee um for the superintendent search. And at this time, I've chosen uh Dave Robinson,
023uh Jackie Lurang, and Stacy Lson to see serve on that superintendent committee search. >> Any questions about that? >> Okay. >> Is that a question? >> Sorry. Yes, sure. >> Do you have any um ideas about adding admin to that or adding groups to committee? I would definitely let the committee be open to that. >> I think that's a good I know I've seen them where admin andor also uh community members have sat on it. I know the unions are interested in in the process. So knowing what we talked about last time is that it's probably not a quick turnaround and so we want to do this right. But yeah, thank you for that. Um so then the next agenda item is just looking at who we want to choose um to work with for
024our superintendent search services. Um MTSBA was the one that we had last week. Um there was some questions. Uh we did go ahead and Jackie and I um conquered split and conquered. Um I met I met or reached out to Felt Martin. um he's our lawyer for the school. And then Via Khaliva is another um lawyer law firm that has done other superintendent search. I believe they're out of Missoula, Great Falls area. >> Missoula. >> Um so really, you know, before we had this, uh really the only people that had provided information was MTSBA. So at that point, that was my recommendation. I honestly don't have a preference. Um, so hopefully everybody's had an opportunity to at least look at what was attached from felt Martin. Um, Jackie had some additional information from Khiva on
025price. She did reach out to Harden. Uh, I think it was a board chair. I don't know if you want to speak on Khaliva a little bit. >> Sure. Yeah. I um we got Lacy was able to find the contract that this uh Khaliva law firm had sent over to Harden when they got quoted to begin their search process. So I have that we we haven't she has not given us an exact letter contract quote but she did when I spoke to her she said it would be very similar. Um Harden was very happy with her process. They also have had quite a bit of turnover. um in the last couple years. They used MTSBA last time and she was involved with that and then they used this Khaliva law firm this time and she
026said overall she felt like it was um a better process anecdotally um in reviewing those contracts and she did say actually too she could meet with us. She'll be in town next Monday. Um, and she said she'd be happy to meet with the hiring committee or the whole board, whoever could be there, uh, to explain her services while she's here. Um, her verse MTSBA, just based on that harden contract, which I cannot confirm that that would be exactly how it is, but rough idea. MTSBA is a $7,000 flat fee plus expenses uh, for travel. The Khaliva Law Firm is a $6,000 cap. Um, and they charge by the hour up to that 6,000 and then it doesn't go over, which is nice because if we were to change course or something, we wouldn't be out
0277,000 for sure. Um, and I mean, she just had some she was very helpful when she did call me back. uh she helps with the whole process like MTSBA and um they sent over she did that I asked how much they ended up spending because of the travel expenses and I'll have to get it out but it ended up being their total bill was like 8,000 low 8,000s with her traveling down for um for the interviews. So there was they actually did the search twice too. their expenses got a little weird because they they they they threw out all their applicants and went another round. So they even with that they ended up at 8,000 which I thought um was probably pretty comparable to MTSBA. So I think that's all I had. Any I guess
028any questions? Again, I'm not stuck on my recommendation. um just to make sure that we're moving forward and having progress. Um I'm I am open I think for a different motion. Can we allow the hiring committee to Can we delegate that decision to the hiring community or uh committee >> if you would like? >> No, we can. We cannot. They could make >> they can make a recommendation >> a recommendation but they would meet with >> but we could delegate >> doing more research >> more research and then bringing that back to the board because I do feel like >> it it would be worth a little bit more discussing budget and >> and that's fine. I mean I I know we tabled it last time for MTSBA if if we want to table this
029again and not be ready to make a decision on that professional services. Um, I think that's I mean I'm like I said I'm not sold on either one of them. If you guys feel that additional information needs to be had or if you feel I mean again felt Martin provided an outline. Um I know last time we kind of talked that MTSBA was not necessarily um our favorite in the last super superintendent search. So I know people have been happy with Khiba. I guess >> personally I would like more information on it allow the the committee to to look into it deeper having the assistant being >> I guess the the question then >> of the deadline >> are we I mean are we trying or are is the goal still to try to hire
030immediately or are we appointing through the 26 27 school year? Are we >> I think that was all going to be established with the professional services of what we chose. So and the and now having that committee. So that committee making that um recommendation to come back to the entire board of what what was decided >> or I guess not decided but discussed. I think that from what I'm hearing, Joshua's not a fan of the last process with MTSBA. They're more money. This looks like they're going to charge us by the hour and probably no more than 5,000 unless that seems a little open to me. So, I guess I don't understand what we really have to lose if Harden was happy with that and you guys have reached out like a $6,000 cap and
031they went out twice and ended up holding at eight. That's still that's still a pretty good price point from what we were at with NTSBA. I I mean, I think I'm very comfortable looking at this. Like, I think that's a great choice. Honestly, >> I will say Harden's approval and positive things to say about Khaliva gave me a lot of assurance in that going that route. >> And they do offer I heard you say Jackie everything that MTSDA does there. >> Yes. Yeah. And >> so I mean I just I feel like that's a win. >> Comments out there questions. So I guess at this point, Charity, are you wanting to make a motion to >> Sure. >> Yeah. I motion that we authorize the committee to use >> I can't say this. Okay. >>
032Khaliva. >> I think it's >> as a professional search to continue our recruitment efforts. >> Okay. I have a first from charity. Do I have a second on the table? >> I'll second it. Okay. So, I had a first from Charity and a second from Jackie on using uh Khaliva to work as a professional service on the superintendent search. Any questions from Yes, Mr. Goyette. >> Um I just wanted to add and this is believe is very well respected across the state. uh a number of administrators that I've spoken to. They used her services for a number of things. So very well respected the sessions I've heard. She's very professional. So that choice. >> Awesome. Thank you. Any other discussion or comments from the public? >> Yes. There was a question last time as if
033there was a timeline on how long those services are good for. Like does it go over six months and restart? Um do we know if there's a timeline with that? >> Um I I >> it's a bit of a can a can of worms to open, but she she did not recommend going out for um applications right away. I'll put it that way. So, if we move forward with her, I mean, obviously, she'll use the board's recommendation and go that route, but I think her thoughts were when I suggested that and asked that question, she was more along the lines of probably not worth the juice is not worth the squeeze, if you will. So I think where my understanding is is uh that that com the committee will now be created and they can
034have some of those discussions. Um so this is authorizing if everybody after we vote everybody agrees with Khiva they would continue to have those discussions and then come back to us and let us know like the recommendation of are we going out right now? Are we going out you know for the 26 27 school year? Um >> I understand that. I think it's just good for you guys to to see between the two. I like his recommendation, but it sounds like you kind of answer my question anyway, but it just it's good to know if if that lower price is going to get the same same time frame, but it sounds like she's wouldn't start until it's appropriate instead of rushing to try to do it in a month. >> If that's what the committee
035recommends, >> you guys. >> Yep. Yep. For sure. Miss P, did you have a >> I'm just It might not fit here. I'm just curious and confused about if Mr. Kinsey is seeking that position, he would then how would he be able to be part of that? >> He it wouldn't stop him from any of that process. >> Yeah. And that's I mean again the you know talking with the legal counsel on that um making sure that he is able to continue to do that. Yep. Good question. Any questions from the board? Okay. So, I uh had a first from charity, second from Jackie. All those in favor to go work with Khaliva um say I. >> I. >> Sorry. >> I. >> Anyone opposed. Okay, that motion passes and we will start working with
036Khaliva. And that is all that I had on the agenda. Yes. >> Okay. >> I'm sorry. I can't hear Don. >> It was recommended that I have nothing to do with the superintendent search by legal today because it's not appropriate to have a retiring or resigning superintendent running any kind of part of the search. So, I set it up on OPI. Everything will go to Dian now and I'm removing myself from any further involvement with the data. Okay. Thank you, Don. Okay. >> And just to clarify, I did hear you say Deian. So, we will work with Okay. >> Everything goes to her now. Reaching out to me and I said I'm not answering yet. She'll need to talk. >> Okay. Sounds good. Thank you for that clarification. Okay. That's the end of the meeting.
037If someone wants to recommend to adjurnn, >> I motion we adjourn. >> Charity. First from charity. Jackie, do you want to >> second? Yes. >> All those in favor to adjurnn, >> say I. >> Anyone opposed? Thank you guys. You dropped toys.