Plains graduate selected as new English teacher

A former Plains High School student has found herself back in school and the subject English was the culprit.

English was the favorite subject for Alexis Kunzer and now she's teaching English. The 2010 Plains High School graduate was unanimously voted as the newest addition to the school staff and will be teaching English for grades seven through seniors. Kunzer will work until January, at which time she will determine if her teaching hours will accommodate her caring for her infant daughter.

Kunzer graduated with a Bachelor of Science with an English major from the University of Montana Western in 2015. She taught English at Richey High School for four and a half years. "It's going to be interesting and I'm very excited," said Kunzer about her new job at Plains.

Dr. Kathleen Walsh, the school superintendent, thanked Dwight Bowen for stepping in as a full time English substitute teacher since the start of the school year. "He walked in one day to sub and never left," said Walsh. Bowen has been a substitute teacher at Plains for almost three years.

The Avista Foundation gave the school $1,000 and the McGowan Foundation awarded the school $5,949, which is earmarked for student field trips. Kathy Gregg, the J.A. McGowan Foundation secretary-treasurer, gave a historical summary of the foundation and the grant. Gregg said that when Colonel James A. McGowan passed away in 1911, a section of his will put 40 shares of his stock in the First National Bank of Plains into a trust for the benefit of local churches and schools of Plains "in such manner as in his judgment shall be most conducive to the improvement of the morals of said community and the education of the children thereof," said Gregg. The trustee funds were first used to build a swimming pool in the basement of the former Plains High School, which used to be located along Railroad Street. She added that over the years, the dividend funds have been used for playground equipment, the athletic field, band instruments, and uniforms, to name a few.

Walsh also announced that the school board received the "Golden Gavel Award" in recognition of completion of the certification requirements by every member of the board of trustees in the Montana School Board Association School Board Academy. In addition, board member Ellen Childress received special recognition by receiving the "Marvin Heintz Award" for having "earned the highest level of individual certification in the Montana School Boards Association's School Board Academy."

The superintendent also said in her report that the school will be receiving fruit trees and vegetable seedlings in the spring from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "Farm To School" grant. With the plants, the Easter Seals/Goodwill nonprofit organization will be supplying workers (55 years and older) as part of the organization's Senior Community Service Employment Program to care for the plants. All will be at no cost to the school.

Principal Kevin Meredith of the elementary school told the board that the elementary school counselor Tanna Klammer and a group of students put together a 30-minute anti drug video for Red Ribbon Week. He also reported that two teachers received grants to take their classes on field trips to the Missoula Butterfly House & Insectarium. High school Principal Dr. Heidii Fettinger announced that the school will be providing a luncheon and special musical presentation for military veterans on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

The board unanimously approved the energy performance contract with Ameresco and approved an amendment to extend a bus route for students. They also approved the 2024-2025 Out-of-District Attendance Agreements. Monica Weedeman, the acting chairperson, said that with Beau French and Lana Dicken absent, she decided to table the Fiscal Year 2024 Audit Proposals.

For the hiring of staff members for the 21st Century Grant After School Program hires, Childress moved to hire Trista Brown, but because the motion was not seconded by the only other board member available, Steve Spurr, it was quashed. The board, however, unanimously approved the remaining program hires - staffer Sandra Jirasko, assistant Trystan Larsen, along with substitutes Cindy Gumm and Ricki Kulawinski. Ilona Khachaturova was approved as a substitute teacher. Plans were to hold a special meeting for the audit proposal and Brown staff position next week.

Vicki Brown of Plains was prompted to speak by the September shooting threat at Superior School, where a juvenile was arrested. She said she was pleased by the recent boost of security precautions at Plains Schools, but suggested hiring trained personnel as safety officers, possibly retired military veterans. "I don't know if your kids get scared, but it scares me," said Brown, who added that if it's a matter of funding, there were people or groups that would be willing to help with the training. Spurr, a Montana Highway Patrol member, said the board couldn't respond on the subject at the meeting, but he was willing to talk with her afterwards.

Plains resident Karen Thorson addressed the board to let them know that although the Paradise Center is a community, arts and visitors center, it is also an educational resource. "We are preserving the history of our area. Our exhibits include the railroad, which is prime in terms of our settlement across Montana, especially in this area," she said, adding that she hopes the center would be a destination for school field trips and said there is no charge for any of the exhibits.

Thorson also noted that the center brings in performing artists based on diversity and artists that reflect different cultures that are educational. On Nov. 1, the center hosts the "Jazz Legacy Project." She said the musicians don't just play jazz, but provide the history of jazz. She gave each of the board members a complimentary ticket for the performance.