TF board addresses COVID, expansion

The board room was filled to capacity at Monday’s meeting of the Thompson Falls School Board. The unusually high attendance was in part to the introduction of several new teachers who were attending the meeting. It was also due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in school and the community. One community member spoke to the board, commending their work on implementing a mask mandate in the school bus system by the athletic staff. Superintendent Bud Scully addressed the comment, clarifying that the coordination was just for athletes traveling on buses, and they were doing it because of the federal mandates, which according to him they are required to follow. Former state senator Greg Hinkle said he took exception to Scully’s comment, and that the federal government cannot mandate anything over the state, which he said had been signed by the Montana governor.

Scully spoke about the COVID-19 situation and explained that the school is going to be in phase 3B. They will be requiring masks on all school buses, as per the federal mandate, and will be taking temperatures at the beginning of each day. The entire plan is posted on the school website for review.. “We have a great staff, and they really care about kids and really care about doing a great job,” Scully said.

Elementary principal Len Dorscher reported that several AEDs (Automatic Electronic Defibrillators) have been added in school buildings and staff have taken some refresher training on their use. He also spoke about the new locks on the doors. These new locks include a key card system and a code input panel. “We’re going to be a lot safer campus and getting rid of those keys we have had for over 30 years,” added Dorscher. He then introduced some of his new K-8 staff.

High school principal Jodi Morgan also introduced her new staff. “The high school staff has been amazing, adjusting to the higher enrollment and all the challenges that come with that,” said Morgan, explaining that there are far more students registered this year. They also had to do some contact tracing late last week as well as dealing with smoky weather and outdoor sports. She commended her staff for facing these and other challenges of the new school year.

Jase Miller spoke as the acting head teacher for the junior high, mentioning several construction projects ongoing in the school, including the replacement of the floor in the science room, upstairs dorm and bathrooms with tile. He also spoke of the addition of propane heaters, which they are very excited about.

Dan McGee, president of Building Mind and Body, LLC in Missoula, spoke to the board about a new building project. According to Scully, the new building will use COVID-19 relief funds, and they have until 2023 to use the funds. McGee was contacted to help organize the project, as he has done numerous others, including the new multi-use building at the Plains school. The Thompson Falls project includes a building that will replace the old weight room and will include a shop and commons area. It will be a multi-use space for lunches, sports practices, shop classes and more. The plan McGee quoted would include a 6,000- to 8,000-square foot premade metal building. As many of these buildings have been predesigned and were never erected, he believes the school can get one for a good price and skip on much of the design process and related costs. Plans are for the building to be 60 feet by 100 feet and McGee estimated the cost to be around $1.346 million.

The board will look into the plan further and send McGee questions. “I think it is a good idea, but it’s a lot of money,” said board member Ryan Frields. He added that “it is taxpayer money,” explaining that they should try not to use it improperly. The board set a special meeting to discuss the project for September 20 at 6 p.m. There they will decide on how to move forward with the project and if they want to hire McGee.

Also Monday, the board approved a new contract for Scully. The superintendent was given a 7.1 percent salary increase and moved from seven to 10 personal days per year. “That’s great because I don’t plan on going anywhere else,” Scully said. “It's great to know that they support me and what we’re doing.”