Swan River school leader resigns steps down

Swan River School Board Chairwoman Becky Hughes resigned Tuesday night, citing her diminished effectiveness after months of upheaval at the school.

Hughes, in her fourth year as chairman, made her announcement on the heels of this spring's contentious master contract negotiations and a teacher's narrowly approved family-leave request in August.

Principal Peter Loyda recounted on Wednesday what Hughes had said at the meeting:

"She shared her rationale as to why certain decisions were made in the past, referring to language in the teacher master contract and [her concern for] trying to follow Montana law and school board policy.

"She stated that too many times over the years, decisions had been made based on past practice, and that she was trying to be more consistent with contract language and policy. That has caused her to not be well-received with staff and community."

Loyda said Hughes, an actively involved parent before beginning her service on the school board four years ago, also discussed a variety of things she tried to help with in the past.

"To summarize, she felt she was at a point now, with the way things were being received, that her effectiveness no longer is what the district needed, that her effectiveness had run out," Loyda said. She said it is "time to step down from the board, … handed in her resignation, then politely left the meeting."

Subsequent commentary was not allowed from the large crowd of parents, teachers and other community members, Loyda said.

Following Hughes' presentation, trustee Lynn Taylor spoke in support of Hughes.

Taylor's speech "was not well received," Loyda said. "It contained very direct comments toward teachers, pointed a finger at where the problems lie. She indicated she might step down from the board if her effectiveness was not wanted."

This spring, teacher master-contract negotiations led to hard feelings between the staff and school board. It laid down specific guidelines, in part, for granting leave requests - including six weeks' family leave from the birth of a child.

After requesting a variation from that written policy in favor of past practice, Deanna Horsens' unpaid year's leave of absence to care for her son born in July was approved 3-2 just two days before school started. Hughes and Taylor cast the dissenting votes.

Loyda said Tuesday night's situation was precipitated by a conversation between Swan River School parents and Hughes two or three weeks ago.

After that, Loyda said, some parents called for Hughes' resignation.

Loyda is concerned about the fallout among school staffers. But he said he is proud of the professional way they have handled developments.

Although he emphasized his respect for Hughes, he said, "Sometimes, a good leader needs to know when it's time to step down."

He later said, "I want to move forward. We need to move to higher ground and keep our heads high," to be sure Swan River's reputation is solid, citing the school's current expansion project and classroom initiatives.

"I told them that whatever decisions I have to make, some people are happy and some people are not. And I can work with that. My goal is to lead students, parents and staff to the most positive outcome of any situation. I try to be very fair and consistent with using the policies and the master contract."

"We can dwell on past problems, but that does not provide us with a healthy future," he said. But what "is going to make us a better school is to use what has happened in the past to make it more consistent and fair."

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com