Charlotte Iserbyt -- Speak Out - For The Sake of Our Children - Article on News with Views shared by a friend

Charlotte Iserbyt -- Speak Out - For The Sake of Our Children

Nick Salmon - Coordinator of Missoula County Public Schools "Smart Schools 2020 Facilty Report - featured in the following profile -"Share This Profile"

Nick Salmon was hired by Missoula County Public Schools to coordinate a large project dealing
with the district's school buildings and properties. This study was spread out over a two year period.

When I attended some of the MCPS meetings lead by Nick Salmon, who is employed by CTA Architects in Missoula, I was troubled by some of his suggestions. Glass classrooms. Multiple lunch areas. Group learning areas and other unfamiliar school environments.

It did seem that there was an agenda behind his work as it smacked of something so much "out of the ordinary".

If one reads the profile on Nick Salmon it explains a lot. Salmon has done work for and is connected to Smart Growth. Smart Growth is a concept of city planning which has garnered a lot of controversy when it is  introduced into a community.

This revelation, that of Nick Salmon being connected to the Smart Growth idea of planning should make citizens pause when voting for the huge bond being brought before the voters this November.

A clue to Nick Salmon's ties to Smart Growth also resides in the name of the study for which he was responsible -

"Smart Schools 2010"

Share This Profile

Rosemary Harrison's Bombshell to Missoula - the 158 million dollar bond passed on November 4, 2015

I've mentioned in many of my blog posts both on the Prescott School Missoula blog and the  Missoula schools watchdog and Missoula school watchdog  blogs (all using the Blogger blogging program)problems caused to the school district by former MCPS Trustee Rosemary Harrison.

I feel that I need to add more about this woman who has done such harm to our school district and to our city.

Former Trustee and Former MCPS Board Chair Rosemary Harrison:

Voted to close Emma Dickinson School in the late 1990's in a rushed process (2 weeks) -

Voted to close Roosevelt School in the late 1990's in a rushed process -

Voted to lease Roosevelt School immediately after the closure to a private school for what many think was a sweetheart deal in a rushed process -

Voted to sell Roosevelt School in 2005 for what many say was again, was a sweetheart deal (sale price was based on the sweetheart lease rate) in a rushed process -

Voted to close Prescott two or three times (2001 and 2003) (these closures were reversed after the spring elections) -

Voted to close three schools in the northeast part of our city in 2004. There was a second vote on these closures due to a forced repeat meeting due to violations by her and other trustees in the closure process -

Voted to lease yet another one of our public schools which she voted to close to a private school. Harrison voted to privatize two of our public schools, Roosevelt to a religious school which violates the state constitution and Prescott School to Missoula International School. Both of these private school remain to this day in two schools which we owned for years, one school for more than a century(Prescott).

And now - because we Missoulians, some oblivious to this woman's disloyal and irresponsible actions, voted to close another school, Cold Springs.

Former MCPS Trustee, Rosemary Harrison, has another feather in her cap, on the number of schools she has closed. In this latest school closure, that of Cold Springs, she, and I am suspecting it was her, wisely on her part, avoided the "C" word (closure) by sneakily (her and Clark's modus operani during her stint on the Board with her good friend and partner in crime - former Superintendent Jim Clark) actions, voted to close another school, Cold Springs.

Missoula school watchdog, because of my experiences both as a victim of the 2004 school closures and as a watchdog of MCPS is, on this blog post with the above substantiation, am accusing Rosemary Harrison responsible for a large part if not the instigating person of this 158 million dollar bond.

For this reason, Missoula school watchdog is calling this 158 million dollar bond a scandal and is also calling for an investigation of the bond procedure with looking into the actions of Rosemary Harrison during this process and her role in the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psychopolitics: Using Education to Change Your Children’s Values

Hello Missoulians,

Last night some of our citizens voted for two bonds for a total of 158.million dollars. As I follow one of Missoula's venue's for free speech to listen to other Missoulians - that is KGVO's Talk Back show from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m on 1290am.



This morning the show focused for awhile on the school bond election and Clair shared this with the Talk Back Face Book page. She always comes up with some great links on what is going on behind the scenes of our politics, etc.



Click on the link below to read this interesting article. I haven't read it, however, I thought I'd share it with my watchdog readers.





Psychopolitics: Using Education to Change Your Children’s Values

John Engen Robo-Call October 2015 Mayor Engen influencing MCPS election according to attorney Quentin Rhoades and missoula school watchdog

Support Our Schools FUNdraiser with the Salamanders - a fundraiser in support of the bonds

Support Our Schools FUNdraiser with the Salamanders



Click on the link above to read about a fundraiser to support the MCPS bonds - found by Quentin Rhodes as per the KGVO News talk Facebook page.

Mayor Engen's robo-calls require investigation - Guest column in the October 26th, 2015 edition of the Missolian

Click on the link below to read a guest column on the mayor's robo-calls using the Missoula County Public Schools robo-call system - may be a clear violation of Montana's laws in my opinion. Written by Missoula attorney Quentin Rhoads. [Later - When posting this article I was under the impression that the robo-call was not appropriate - however, a friend did some study on this issue and she doesn't believe that there were problems with the call. I will need to do more looking into the issue before I have a more clear view of the robo-call. - In other words, the mayor may not be "off the hook" in this matter.



Mayor Engen's robo-calls require investigation

Missoula County Public Schools: Proposals prompt many questions - Missoulian letter to the editor in the September 27th, 2015 edition

Click on the link below to read a lette to the editor regarding the upcoming school bond.

The writer has some good questions.



    missoulschoolwatchdog: Vote against the bond - this is not in the best interests of our community!





Missoula County Public Schools: Proposals prompt many questions

MCPS approves ballot language for bonds Missoulian article from the September 23, 2015 edition

Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article on the school bonds.



MCPS approves ballot language for bonds

 



           missoulaschoolwatchdog does not recommend voting for this bond (understatement)!

Chairman of the Board of Regents makes the most money of any public official in Montana!

Even though the following is not about Missoula's schools, specifically, I thought I'd include it on my blog.

Clay Christian is the highest paid public employee in Montana

The above is a screenshot of the MSN posting for Montana taken on September 21, 2015.

This morning I was logged on to MSN and I clicked on a link to an article reporting on the highest paid public official for all 50 states. For most states it was a college football or basketball coach. I knew that it most likely was not a coach for Montana's highest paid public official.

 The article had a picture display of each state's highest paid public official. As I was following to some degree the news regarding the salary of Clay Christian when he was appointed Commissioner of Higher Education I thought that this might be the guy with Montana's largest public employee salary. And it was!

His salary is $351,000. per year.

While the discussion of Christian's compensation was in the news many people spoke up on the blogs and weren't happy about this high salary. And now we see that it is the highest in the state! (Perhaps this was reported at the time, however, I did not read that it was the highest at the time.)

Local taxes: Has Missoula reached tipping point? Letter to the editor in September 11, 2015 Missoulian - one of the first of hopefully many to write against the MCPS bond

Local taxes: Has Missoula reached tipping point?

Don Tomlinson: Thanks for honoring 'unsung hero' - a Missoula County High School graduate!

Click on the link below to read a letter by the Tomlinson Family regarding an article on Don and his bravery in WWII.



Don Tomlinson: Thanks for honoring 'unsung hero'



  missoula school watchdog salutes Don Tomlinson, a Missoula County High School graduate for his service to our country.

Missouilan September 8th, 2015, article on the Foster Grandparent Program

Click on the link below to read a Missoulian article on the Foster Grandparent Program.





50 years young: Foster Grandparent program looks back on decades of success



  missoula school watchdog is of the opinion that the Foster Grandparent program is a wonderful program for our school children. A foster grandparent helped out with a son's reading many years ago. This was really appreciated by myself, my son, and the teacher. There are many true winners here!

UPDATED: MCPS considers 4 sites for new Cold Springs school - MIssoulian article from August 31, 2015

Click on the link below to read an article on new locations for Cold Springs School.

UPDATED: MCPS considers 4 sites for new Cold Springs school

  missoula school watchdog blog is calling foul on this ill-thought out idea by illogical school officials.

The idea that this school district will close Cold Springs and build a new school with the same name is absolutely criminal!

 

As a long-time observer of MCPS business and a victim of the 2004 school closures, it is my opinion that this corrupt idea of closing Cold Springs and building a new school in the Miller Creek area is the brainstorm of a long-time unpopular MCPS Trustee, Drake Lemm and other cronies such as Rosemary Harrison. At a September 2005(!) Finance and Operations Facility Meeting - with the ink barely dry on the Roosevelt School sale to St. Josephs School papers - Lemm brought up the closing of Cold Springs and the building of a new school close to his properties. (Note: Lemm built a subdivision in the Miller Creek area.)

Hellgate High School celebrates new finance academy on Thursday - Missoulian article from the September 8, 2015 issue

Click on the link below to read about a September 8th, 2015, Missoulian article about the Financial Academy getting started at Helllgate High School.

Hellgate High School celebrates new finance academy on Thursday

Capital offense, with all due respect, by the Missoulian - no mention of the cost - how it has been funded so far and how it will be funded in the future! More comment in the near future by msw.



School bond: Crucial first step or hasty misstep? - Helena School District bond newspaper article Helena later defeats school bond! Missoula needs to do the same as bond fails to address MCPS needs!

Click on the link below to read a Helena Independent article.

School bond: Crucial first step or hasty misstep?

Vote for school bonds, invest in future September 3, 2015 Missoulian Guest Editorial by Mark Thane

Click on the link below to read Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Mark Thane's Guest Column in September 3, 2015 Missoulian newspaper.





Vote for school bonds, invest in future



Response to Mark Thane's editorial:

The bond that is going to be going before the Missoula voters to support Missoula School District 1 schools this November (mail in ballot) is not in the best interests of our students or our community in general.

Despite former Superintendent Apostle's statement that the MCPS school district will let the community know what is included in this bond we citizens are really in the dark about what is being planned by the bond committee. There is very little coverage in the Missoulian or elsewhere on what is being planned for each school. And the vote is coming up very soon.

The lives of many families were turned upside down in 2004 by the school closures in the northeast section of our city.  Because of  school closure experience  and following the district by attending meetings for many years I found that this district is not an upstanding, honest, responsible, accountable school district. This school district operates on a "let the citizens know as little as possible and make drastic decisions as quickly as possible" philosophy. This is so that there is little time for citizens to study what is being proposed and to react in an informed manner.



The last three superintendents were hired, most likely, for their position on decisions to be made by the power structure on the school board. What the "majority" Trustees wished for our school district, tragically, was multiple school closures. These Trustees governed against the will of the people, who for the most part wished to keep their prized and irreplaceable neighborhood school. In the late 1990's the district hired Mary Vagner, who was behind the closure of Roosevelt School. Vagner also was behind the closure of Prescott School (which was reopened). Vagner was also behind the lease of Roosevelt School to a private school, St. Josephs School, a Catholic elementary school. (Did Vagner share the same religion as the private school as some say she did - this needs some review).

Next, came Superintendent Jim Clark  in 2003. Jim Clark governed in a sneaky fashion as suggested above - quickly allowing little public awareness of his plans. In fact, I call his 6 years at MCPS as the "Dark Clark" years as his decisions have affected our city in many tragic and "dark" ways. Under the leadership of Superintendent Clark three (!) of our northeast schools were closed in a 48 day period. These schools were Rattlesnake Middle School and Prescott School in the Rattlesnake Valley and Mt. Jumbo School in East Missoula. These school closures have wreaked havoc in our community and have impacted our finances more than we know. Many East Missoula families are sending their children to Bonner(each of these children are "worth" approximately $5,000.

Superintendent Clark not only severely damaged our network of neighborhood schools as he acted astonishingly brazen and disloyally. Clark recommended the sale of Roosevelt School to the Catholic School system which took place in 2005. Clark continued acting  in a disloyal fashion  by recommending the lease of Prescott School to another private school, Missoula International School. This lease as with the Roosevelt School lease, began with a  five year term (and was extended later for 3 years and 5 years!).  As per information given by a  math professor, this lease is costing us hundreds of thousands of dollars per year! Can you imagine the loss of state funding based on enrollment when Missoula International School's enrollment has mushroomed from 33 students in 2004 to 200 students in recent years? For more info one can go to www.prescottschoolmissoula.blogspot. Not a perfect website but a start in sharing information on this issue.

Next, in 2008, the district hired Superintendent Alex Apostle, who continued the disloyal leadership of promoting the lease of Prescott School to Missoula International School. I believe that one of the main reasons Apostle was hired was to assist in the continuation of this lease. Apostle presided over the two lease extensions of 3 years and then 5 years. This lease will expire in 2017 and must not be extended. To do so would to continue the erosion of funds to MCPS and to continue the problems in this neighborhood by denying the children a neighborhood school (since 1892!). The overcrowding of Rattlesnake School is a major reason to reopen Prescott, however, so far the district has placed the needs of MIS above the students of MCPS.

Superintendent Thane, hired this year, unfortunately, even though he is from Missoula, is continuing in the same vein as his three predecessors. Thane is recommending the continuation of the lease of Prescott School to Missoula International School thus continuing the dramatic loss of funds to our district. He is also recommending, by virtue of promoting this bond the further "deschooling" of our Missoula neighborhoods. This "deschooling"of our neighborhoods, thus taking away the "heart of the neighborhood is having huge detrimental affects to our neighborhoods.

We need to reverse the trend of "deschooling" our neighborhoods by reopening the closed schools. Our children need to come before adults(Dickinson School), private schools (Prescott and Roosevelt School(we can set aside money for buying back Roosevelt as we have right of first refusal), college students(Mt. Jumbo), and programs(Jefferson and Whittier). We can reopen these schools (and even share some space with the programs) before we build a new school in the Miller Creek area.

Please vote against the school bond both on the elementary and secondary levels. A vote for the bond, with all due respect, is not in the best interests of our children.

In closing, I would like to recommend a report which supports our smaller neighborhood schools which have served generations of our Missoula children titled, "Dollars and Sense. The Cost Effectiveness of Small Schools".

Thank you for reading my long comment, however, it is important, in my opinion, to hear the other side of this issue that is brought forward by Superintendent Mark Thane and others.

Missoula County Public Schools: Vote for bond, invest in students

Click on the link below to read a letter to the editor regarding the upcoming bond.



 missoulaschoolwatchdog is advocating for citizens to vote against both school bonds - the elementary and the secondary.





Missoula County Public Schools: Vote for bond, invest in students

Only Four New Jersey schools wanted framed pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for their schools

I am watching C-Span 3 this week-end which includes subjects on American history.

I thought I'd write a little blurb on what I thought was a sad commentary on our education in America at this time.

The conference which I am watching is being put on by the Pioneer Institute (I believe in Boston). Much of the conference is highlighting the teaching of World War II in our schools.

One of the speakers was a Holocaust survivor, Izzie Arbeiter. What a horrendous life he lived as a Jew under the Nazi regime. He went through hell for 5 years. The story about the death of his father and brothers was heart wrenching. Izzie has dedicated his life to talking about the Holocaust as his father wanted him to do as he was marched off to his death. Izzie likes to talk to students and schools as they are the future leaders of our country. The adage of Izzies's is, "If you don't know your history, you are destined to repeat it."

What I thought was sad, (although to a much lesser extent of course than the atrocities talked about by Izzie) centers on another issue brought up by a speaker at the conference.  A picture of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln hung on the wall next to the blackboard in our schools for many generations. These pictures have been removed from classrooms all over the nation.

I did not catch the name of the man who offered to frame thousands of pictures of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, one each for every classroom in New Jersey. What a noble and worthy cause, however, only four teachers(or schools?) took him up on his offer which I think is a sad commentary on where we are at in our education systems. 

Not acknowledging our past by hanging up pictures of our American heros and leaders could be just one reason why our students lack the necessary history to score well on our school standard tests.

"To not teach about Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, etc. is a huge problem for our students. These students are our next generation's leaders. If they do not have a good grasp of history they will be sheep. If the history of great men and women is not being taught we are in trouble. We need to have a chronological history. The sense of contingencies is not being taught and therefore is a big problem. I like to think of visual aids and art projects."

 

These comments (paraphrased) above are by Paul Reid, author of a book on Winston Spencer Churchill.

For more information go to pioneerinstitute.org

 

Later:  It is my opinion, having had three children graduate from Hellgate High School, that we have many good teachers that take it upon themselves to educate our students about many of the atrocities of World War II. Some teaches show the movie, "Schindler's List", a movie about World War II.

 

edited on September 8, 2015

Horse racing: Missoula could duplicate success - Missoulian letter to the editor in summer of 2015- Missoulians like their traditions

Horse racing: Missoula could duplicate success


A Missoulian letter to the editor by Cliff Trexler advocating for horse racing to return to horse racing.

Missoulians like their traditions which includes horse racing at the fair and our neighborhood schools.

Missoula County: Rye would make great commissioner - August Missoulian letter to editor by Nick Salmon

Missoula County: Rye would make great commissioner



Letter by Nick Salmon, engineer of the school district's facility plan.



Nick Salmon's stripes are revealed.



Is Nick Salmon's political side influencing his design and facility decisions?



Are city officials putting pressure on Nick Salmon to design our schools in a certain manner consistent with a political bent?



This letter is a red flag for Missoula citizens as what we need is a non-biased person to work on our facility plans.

City of Missoula business licenses issued in July 2015

City of Missoula business licenses issued in July 2015  from the Missoulian on line on August 12, 2015.



Lots going on in Missoula! Why then is MCPS not reopening our closed schools and stating that they will not approve a lease extension to the private school Missoula International School of Prescott School?



Why? Because many of the MCPS Trustees are incompetent, disloyal, and corrupt.

Missoula County Board of Commissioners: Stacy Rye has hands-on experience Letter bty Ncik Salmon - MCPS facilitator fo the facility plan Smart Schools 2020

Missoula County Board of Commissioners: Stacy Rye has hands-on experience

Letter by Nick Salmon. Salmon is the facilitator being paid thousands to come up with a facility plan for Missoula County Public Schools.

Stacey Rye is a past council woman and has advocated for more dense neighborhoods and accessory dwelling units. These changes to our neighborhoods have not been popular to put it mildly. Rye has gone against her constituent's wishes and against the will of the people in regard to the cities development.

Nick Salmon's endorsement says a lot about his philosophy and the recommendations he has brought forward for our schools.

Are his ideas bent on promoting a certain philosophy for the most part or what is best for the basic education of Missoula's children?

msw has not been a fan of Nick Salmon's work for the district. I believe he is influenced too heavily by his ideology and has infused his political ideals into a very expensive Smart Schools 2020 facility plan.

2 file applications for open Missoula school board seat - August 4, 2015

2 file applications for open Missoula school board seat

Missoula County Public Schools: Thanks for placing bonds on ballot

Missoula County Public Schools: Thanks for placing bonds on ballot



Letter from a student at Hellgate.

Students need to understand that money does not grow on trees.

A good project for all the MCPS students would be to suggest ways

to cut expenses. Now, that would be fun to watch!

MCPS considers renaming Hellgate High School theater

MCPS considers renaming Hellgate High School theater

MCPS backs off negotiations to buy new Cold Springs property

MCPS backs off negotiations to buy new Cold Springs property

Former candidates split on applying for open Missoula schools seat

Former candidates split on applying for open Missoula schools seat

MCPS identifies potential site for new Cold Springs School Missoulian article on July 28, 2015

MCPS identifies potential site for new Cold Springs School-



Do not vote for the November MCPS school bond - take it from msw - this proposal is full of shenanigans. No time now to go into it - I will try to soon, though.



Hint and Question: Do any former Trustees have a subdivision in this area?

How to Copy Files to a USB Flash Drive

PorkCast Tutorial www.porkcast.com

Hey Everyone!

Here is a great way to see how our state government is working! Thanks to Nick Schwaderer , we now can see where are state money is going.

Type in Missoula County Public Schools and see how much moo lah our school system is getting from the state and what it is going towards.

Spread the word!

Missoula's Neighborhoods - Changes seen by a 15 Year Missoulian Paper Carrier

If one had gone to some of Missoula County Public Schools Board or Committee meetings in the past decade you would have heard quite often the notion that our "neighborhoods are hollowing out". This was a favorite saying especially by the MCPS high school Trustee Jim Sadler. (Missoulians can be grateful that Sadler was defeated in the latest school board election after serving 20 years on the school Board.)

The notion that our neighborhoods were hollowing out never had merit. Why do I say that with such confidence? 

In 2004, I attended a High School Futures Meeting. This forum was hosted by MCPS administrator Cheryl Wilson (a most unpleasant woman!). Wilson invited Dr. Larry Swanson to speak on Missoula demographics in order to give the people on her appointed group an update on what was going on in Missoula's neighborhoods.

Surprise, surprise. What Wilson and other administrators that aligned with the notion that our neighborhoods were "hollowing out" found out from Swanson's presentation is that our neighborhoods were "transitioning from a retiree generation to what Swanson named the "echo echo" generation, that of the baby boomers grandchildren who were in the process of marrying and starting a family.

As a family that has been tossing the papers in the Rattlesnake area, in the lower Rattlesnake and in Lincolnwood for the past 15 years we have had a unique close up look at the transitioning of this neighborhood which Swanson states is taking place throughout Missoula.

This is what we have observed. We got to know who lived in the homes on our paper route due to correspondence by the Missoulian or the customers themselves. Therefore, we noticed when one of our older customers died or moved to a retirement setting. And in more cases than not, a young family would move in. 

We began to notice that when an older resident left his/her home that swing sets would now appear. That little bicycles would be int he yard along with the children's balls and other toys. This a testament to Swanson's predictions. As Swanson said - he did not have an agenda, he had the statistics and then simply presented the information, at first for free, and later in a report commissioned by the school district costing about $1,000 (not sure on this amount).

Take it from a 15 year Missoulian paper carrier who has seen up close and personal the changes in a couple of our neighborhoods - our neighborhoods are transitioning from a retirees to young families with children, bikes, swing sets, balls and all. 

FYI - To support the idea that some unpopular Trustees and administrators did not like the ideas brought forth by Dr. Swanson, read the following - 

In one of the later High School Future Meetings a citizen requested that Dr. Swanson be asked to return for another presentation or an update on the information given in his earlier talk.

MCPS administrator Cheryl Wilson stated, "NO, WE DIDN'T GET WHAT WE WANTED OUT OF THAT ANYWAY."

Shockingly, Wilson was willing to ignore the valid statistics from Dr. Swanson. With this unbelievable statement and the dismissing of such important information to our city Wilson displayed another breach of trust in our school district. Wilson, former Superintendent Clark, and Trustees such as Sadler, Rosemary Harrison, Jenda Hemphill, Joe Toth, Scott Bixler, Toni Rehbein have swindled Misoulians in this abrocation of duties of heeding a professional demographer.

MCPS News - "The Elephant in the Room" - the lease of Prescott School to Missoula International School since 2004

The elephant in the room.

 msw had not attended that may meetings prior to 2004. Well, I take that back. I did attend quite a lot of meetings regarding another issue facing the Rattlesnake in that year, namely the sewer expansion, another drastic change for Rattlesnake residents with a big price tag, and some meetings regarding the closure of Prescott in 2001 and 2003.

msw had just not heard the phrase "the elephant in the room".  Nor did msw understand completely what it meant. (As a side note - my little granddaughter has the cutest softest and very big stuffed elephant in her room.) The phrase, "elephant in the room" just had not reached my ears up to that point.

Now, however, I do hear it quite often and it always brings me back to the High School Futures Meeting in which Cheryl Wilson addressed the "Elephant in the Room" issue at that time. That of closing Hellgate High School. It is my recollection that Wilson never  did say the "Hellgate" and "close" in the same sentence. You see, many times MCPS officials like to keep that type of stuff, the stuff we citizens should know about, a secret as long as possible and then they pounce revealing the bombshell plans all at once leaving the public with little time to react and to go against the administration.

To get back to "the elephant in the room". It basically means, as I understand it, an issue is so big that it is impossible to ignore anymore.

So - what is the "elephant in the room" at this time (and has been for more than 10 years) for Missoula County Public School?

For me, msw, it is the lease of Prescott School to the private, thus competing, school, Missoula International School.

In 2004, MCPS, unloaded a bombshell, (see above) on the north side of Missoula in addition to East Missoula. It announced that the school district planned to close three schools: Rattlesnake Middle School, Prescott School in the Rattlesnake Valley and Mt. Jumbo School in East Missoula. Citizens were reeling from the news stunned at the suddenness of such a radical and drastic change for  schools which their children and neighbors  attended and had attended for many years. The decision did not make sense, it caused deep pain for both children and adults, harming our north side neighborhoods.

After these ill-thought- out decisions, another deeply troubling and devastating decision was made, that of leasing the closed Prescott School to the private Spanish-immersion school, Missoula International School.

This lease could essentially be called a "Buddy Lease". Why? Because newly elected in 2004 Trustee Toni Rehbein was shortly before her election the president of Missoula International School When one reads the minutes of the May 2004 MCPS Board Meeting one will see the many statements made by Rehbein advocating for the lease of Prescott to MIS. See appropriate posts on the www.prescottschoolmissoula.blogspot.com website to read her comments and others as well.

Not only did Rehbein advocate for the Prescott School/MIS lease at her first MCPS Board meeting serving as a Trustee but also at many other MCPS meetings. She voted for the appraisal of Prescott in 2008. Rehbein actually asked, violating meeting protocol, members of MIS in the audience at a MCPS meeting if MIS would be interested in a lease with an option to buy! WOW!

As one will also read on many blog posts on the blog the lease is costing Missoula taxpayers millions due to state funding as a result of many MCPS students attending MIS from the district. An estimate by a math professor is $500,00 per year!

The use of Prescott by MIS has caused the district to build an expensive modular ($250.000) at Rattlesnake School. (Lots of shenanigans in that decision!)

Yes, this issue, the lease of Prescott School to Missoula International School is absolutely the "elephant in the room" for Missoula County Public Schools.

June 5, 1908

June 5, 1908

Students refurbish school sign

Students refurbish school sign

Carousel for Missoula celebrates 20 years with free rides, growth plans

Carousel for Missoula celebrates 20 years with free rides, growth plans

Missoula Youth Harvest Project connects teens to community

Missoula Youth Harvest Project connects teens to community

MCPS leases PEAS Farm, discusses right-to-know laws

MCPS leases PEAS Farm, discusses right-to-know laws

C.S. Porter assistant principal placed on administrative leave

C.S. Porter assistant principal placed on administrative leave

Missoula principal resigns amid scandal, to get $90K buyout : Local

Missoula principal resigns amid scandal, to get $90K buyout : Local

Records reveal inappropriate relationship by former high school administrators : Local

Records reveal inappropriate relationship by former high school administrators : Local

MCPS rehires administrator reassigned for improper relationship

MCPS rehires administrator reassigned for improper relationship



Inappropriate behavior and inappropriate actions by school district - sets a very bad example for our children.

Washington Middle School orchestra to perform at Wilma

Click on the link below to read about the middle school orchestra performing at the Wilma Theatre.



This venue could perhaps be open to  other MCPS school concerts.



Oh, what a crying shame for a school orchestra to have to perform in a school gym with basketball

hoops!



Let's not think that our children are too good for gym performances. Granted, perhaps other school districts have access to a performing arts building. We do not at this time. Missoula has chosen other things for which they wish to spend our money. Until we spend our money wisely and our tax burden is dramatically reduced we do not need to discuss paying for a performing arts center. Until then, can't we be happy with just listening to our kids in a school gym?



BTW - some of the best concerts by school children were held in the Rattlesnake gym under the leadership of John  Schuberg. It was crowded, yes, however, the music was fantastic! We did not even think about the hard bleachers or the basketball hoops. Of course, it was part of the experience of attending a school concert.



Let's not get too complicated here.





Washington Middle School orchestra to perform at Wilma

Missoula school bond measure planning costs top $250,000 : Local

Missoula school bond measure planning costs top $250,000 : Local

Using the funds from the lease of Prescott School to the private school Missoula International School for the district's facility study is a misuse of these funds. Any money spent from this fund needs to go to Prescott's own facility upkeep.

Sentineh High School Recognized for Leading State in Dual Enrollment

Deadline to file for area school board elections is Thursday; many seats uncontested

Poor journalism for the Missoulian to wait till the last minute to run an article on filing for the

MCPS Board.



This is how you get corrupt incumbent Trustees for school board and other government entities to be able

to  win by acclamation (winning due to lack of people running for the same positions).



Deadline to file for area school board elections is Thursday; many seats uncontested

Missoula County Public Schools: Don't vote for incumbent Sadler

Missoula County Public Schools: Don't vote for incumbent Sadler

Missoula's Lifelong Learning Center to stay in current location

Click on the link below to read an article on Emma Dickinson School.



Missoula's Lifelong Learning Center to stay in current location



Another bone-headed decision by the MCPS school district.



Emma Dickinson was built for elementary children for which we need to look after first

before the needs of adults.



The adult ed classes could be dispersed throughout the district's schools rather than concentrated

in one school.



Our children need to be the priority when it comes to our school facilities.

Missoula 150 planning for First Nght kickoff : Territory Celebrate our historic school buildings also!

Click on the link below for a news clip on the 150th birthday of Missoula and its celebrations.



Missoula 150 planning for First Nght kickoff : Territory

Frenchtown Elementary Chosen Best in Montana

Deadline to File For MCPS School Board Seats is Thursday, 5:00p.m., March 26th, 2015

The MCPS School District apparently did not send out a press release announcing 
the deadline to file for a seat on the MCPS Board of Trustees. 

Why not?

It is my understanding that every year the district usually sends out a press release on this issue.

Was it that MCPS did not want anyone to go against the incumbents? Is MCPS hoping that different Trustees might
go against their high administrative-large schools-corrupt ideas which actually harm Missoula's children.  

It is the opinion of missoula schools watchdog that the above is the logical conclusion to the question of why MCPS did not get the word out about the filing deadline to run for a seat on the MCPS Board of Trustees. 

Good job, again, to the people that wish to keep a stronghold on our schools and wish to continue to take Missoula citizens and children on an irresponsible and even dangerous ride.

MCPS got exactly what they wanted - no publicity.

Pdf : Harstad Strategic Research Inc. survey results and MCPS trustee Feb. 3 meeting agenda

Pdf : Harstad Strategic Research Inc. survey results and MCPS trustee Feb. 3 meeting agenda



Click on the  link above to read about a survey by MCPS.



msw thinks that it was a two-week plan.



Could be wrong.

Pdf : Smart Schools 2020 Report

Pdf : Smart Schools 2020 Report



Click on the link above to see what MCPS is up to now.



Couldn't they just reopen our closed schools?



Yes - they could but they want bigger schools and they want to continue a lease to a

private school - Prescott School to the private competing school, Missoula International School.



Talk about corruption/

Diane Kepus -- The Chokehold on Our Children, Part 1

Diane Kepus -- The Chokehold on Our Children, Part 1

$158M in bonds for construction, upgrades recommended to MCPS trustees

$158M in bonds for construction, upgrades recommended to MCPS trustees

Monday's Montanan: Missoula architect Nick Salmon designs schools for the future

Monday's Montanan: Missoula architect Nick Salmon designs schools for the future

Missoula school board works to finalize $158M in bond requests

Missoula school board works to finalize $158M in bond requests

Montana Senate panel OKs bill for new high schools in Missoula, other cities

Montana Senate panel OKs bill for new high schools in Missoula, other cities

Roundtable Discussion - Conference 2 - Disk 7

Debra Niwa - The International Baccalaureate Unraveled - Disc 2

Missoula School District Superintendent Alex Apostle and Kaarma Trial Di...