Ballots go out for school elections
[Editor's note: This is part one of a story about school elections in Flathead County. Part two published April 18.]
Ballots are being mailed out for May school elections.
Districts have through April 20 to mail ballots to voters. Ballots must be returned to respective districts by May 5. A ballot and its outer envelope must be signed by the person the ballot was issued to in order to be counted.
Bigfork is the only district that will have a levy request on the ballot in addition to a trustee election.
Trustee elections will also be held in Cayuse Prairie, Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Fair-Mont-Egan, Kalispell and Marion.
Trustees are volunteers who represent the public and are responsible for making decisions that impact how schools operate. Duties typically include reviewing and adopting policies, annual budgets and educational programs; setting achievement goals and holding schools accountable.
Following is biographical information provided by candidates whose names will appear on ballots.
Bigfork
About 4,400 active, registered voters living in the elementary district will decide elementary and high school general fund levy requests in addition to a contested trustee race. Approximately 1,200 voters living in the high school district will decide the high school general fund levy only.
If approved, the levies would generate $331,625.12 for the elementary district and $259,828.94 for the high school district.
If the elementary levy is approved, owners of homes valued at $200,000 could anticipate annual taxes to increase by $29.20. If the high school levy is approved, owners of homes valued at $200,000 may anticipate annual taxes to increase by $18.30.
The majority of money raised by the levies will fund salary and benefit increases for certified and classified staff. Funds would also go toward professional development, textbooks, and supplies, which have been reduced over time to cover budget shortfalls, according to Bigfork Superintendent Matt Jensen.
The last time a general fund levy request was made was in 2007, according to District Clerk Lacey Porrovecchio.
Six candidates are vying for two seats representing the elementary district.
• Julie Kreiman
Occupation: High school math teacher at K-12 international academy.
Family: Husband John Kreiman; three children currently enrolled in Bigfork Elementary.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in secondary education, Grand Canyon University; master’s degree in educational technology, Arizona State University.
Background: Current member of Bigfork Art and Cultural Center; previous member of national and local education associations; and previous director of mathematics curriculum at Scottsdale Education Center.
Why are you running? In my 20 years of experience in education I have seen firsthand the impact that a school board has on what transpires in classrooms. I want to be an experienced advocate for the teachers, and as a mom, I want to ensure that my kids and all kids in the community receive the highest possible education that prepares them for future success.
• Matthew Meisner
Occupation: Co-owner of Bigfork-based Meisner Construction, L.L.C and Vessel.
Family: Wife Julie Meisner; four children Shea, 18, Corbin, 15, Savannah, 10 and Indiana, 8.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, Bethany University.
Background: Through coaching basketball off and on for more than 20 years has gotten to know many students, seeking to be an advocate for them.
Why are you running? I would love nothing more than to be a part of this team working to cast vision for how we can best meet the needs of our growing schools. I love the community of Bigfork and would be honored to receive an election to serve on our school board.
• Wendy Miller
Occupation: Piano Teacher and owner of Montana Leaf Works
Family: Mother of three children, ages 12, 16, and 18 and aunt to 13 nieces and nephews who all currently attend Bigfork Schools.
Education: Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees
Background: Currently serves on the Friends of Bigfork Fire Department board.
Why are you running? Having children and extended family attending Bigfork Schools for over two decades, I have a deep understanding of our strengths and the challenges we face. I will work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to rebuild trust and increase academic opportunities while keeping the interest of teachers and students first.
• Steven Neal
Occupation: Retired teacher and businessman, currently substitute teaches.
Family: Wife, who is a retired law enforcement officer; one daughter who is a University of Montana graduate.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in education; Montana teaching certificate and continued coursework.
Background: Taught elementary and middle school for 12 years; was a business owner and consultant; previous governor appointee to the Statehouse Conference on Small Business; and multiyear Bigfork Christmas elf.
Why are you running? My business experience will allow me to make the best decisions for utilizing taxpayer’s dollars in the most efficient way possible, while my experience as a teacher will allow me to be an advocate for students of all ages, so that our investments in their education will be put to the best use in the classroom. After all that education has given to me in personal and professional fulfillment, I have a strong desire to give back whatever I can to education.
• Paul A. Sandry (incumbent)
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Wife Christine Sandry; three adult children Phil, Ben and Josh.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Montana; Juris Doctor (with high honors), University of Montana; Master of Laws in Taxation, University of Florida.
Background: Bigfork School District trustee since 2005.
Why are you running? I want to continue focusing on maintaining and developing policies to enhance student achievement and to maintain Bigfork Schools as strong public schools while advocating fiscal conservatism.
• MonaRae Tuhy
Occupation: Self-employed, independent contractor for the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork and Bigfork Playhouse Foundation.
Education: College, commercial diver, Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, and continuing education classes.
Background: Bigfork Rotary president; Montana Organic Association board of directors secretary; Bigfork/Ferndale community garden volunteer coordinator; Rotary weekend backpack coordinator and school garden volunteer.
Why are you running? To represent those who do not always have a voice, to hold the administration accountable, ensuring that our students, teachers and staff have all the resources to make Bigfork a strong district and school — which includes arts, music, shop, science fair, speech and debate as well as all sports and other school clubs which makes for well-rounded students. Having attended almost all school board meetings for multiple years, I would like to be a more impactful participant on behalf of the community.
Cayuse Prairie
Approximately 1,648 ballots will be mailed out to active, registered voters. There are three candidates with two open seats.
• Meghan Roe (incumbent)
Occupation: Virtual assistant, works from home.
Family: Husband Tyson Roe; children Quora, Teaghan and Harper.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.
Background: President of Columbia Falls summer swim program, which serves the valley; current Cayuse Prairie school board member; has worked in and around educational institutions her entire life; worked as a speech therapist and coach; and has worked as a temp in the business offices at Browning Public Schools and Kalispell Public Schools.
Why are you running? I would like to serve as a trustee to help Cayuse Prairie continue to be the best possible school for my kids as well as our community.
• Alicia Scofield (incumbent)
Occupation: Director of children’s ministry at Easthaven Baptist Church.
Family: Husband Aaron Scofield; two boys, Titus and Eli, who attend Cayuse Prairie School.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Montana.
Background: Worked with many nonprofit boards in the past, gaining familiarity with board procedures, strategic planning, etc. and has worked with organizations serving children for many years including CASA for Kids of Flathead County.
Why are you running? I want to be a trustee at Cayuse Prairie to continue serving my community and help create the best educational experience for staff and students. The education system is a vital part of our community, and I have enjoyed being a part of continuing to strengthen it.
• Cole Skees
Occupation: Registered nurse, specializing in vascular access.
Family: Wife Kristen Skees, who is food service director at Cayuse Prairie School; children Aiden and Mia Skees, who attend Cayuse Prairie.
Education: High school; fire science degree; emergency medical technician and paramedic certifications; Associate of Science in Nursing, Valencia Community College, Florida.
Background: Moved to Kalispell six years ago to raise their children; firefighter/paramedic for six years; worked in the emergency room and intensive care unit for about six years; currently in 10th year of nursing.
Why are you running? I would like the opportunity to serve as a trustee to give back to my community. My children have attended Cayuse Prairie since kindergarten and second grade, respectively. My wife and I have assisted with the Parents and Friends of Cayuse Prairie School group during that time and have made many great relationships with our community.
Columbia Falls
About 8,500 ballots will be mailed to active, registered voters. There are four candidates seeking three available seats on the board.
• Dean Chisholm (incumbent)
Occupation: Attorney with Chisholm & Chisholm, PC
Family: Wife Penni Chisholm; children Henry Chisholm, 23, Ava Chisholm, 20, and Eddie Mae Chisholm, 14.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education, Colorado State University; Juris Doctor degree, University of Montana School of Law.
Background: Columbia Falls School District board member for 16 years and vice chairman for 12 years; former and current board member/adviser to many local and regional charities and youth programs; youth and high school coach of several sports; selected to Who’s Who in American Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America publications; former prosecutor and special counsel to cities and counties and the Montana Supreme Court; currently in private practice.
Why are you running? The trustee’s job is to provide the best education reasonably possible to each and every child in the community. There aren’t many better ways to spend your time.
• Barbara Riley (incumbent)
Occupation: Real estate broker
Family: Husband and two daughters who are both graduates of Columbia Falls High School.
Education: Some college from the University of Montana with a business emphasis in accounting/finance.
Background: Served as a school board member in Columbia Falls since 1995 with previous board experience in high school as a student body representative to the school board; active in statewide trustee training; elected to the Montana School Boards Association board of directors in 2005; current president-elect to the state association; involved in K-12 public education work through the National School Boards Association; served for six years on the national board of directors from 2011-2017; also served as president of the Montana Schools Unemployment Insurance Group for eight years; active with food drives for local food banks, raising funds for disadvantaged families for Christmas, and working with the Montana Log Jam to support timber industry families impacted by death or critical accident expenses.
Why are you running? The flexibility that our local schools enjoy today in dealing with the pandemic are a direct result of trustees working at the local, state and national levels to maintain local control in determining what is best for our kids and community. I want to continue to be a part of guiding our schools to help families as we continue our work in the unchartered waters of distance learning in a “post COVID-19” reality.
• Keri Hill (incumbent)
Occupation: Esthetician and spa owner.
Family: Husband Beau Hill; daughter LaKia; two sons Jace and Jory.
Education: Associate of Science degree and Montana State Board certified esthetician
Background: Served in multiple capacities for different youth organizations throughout the county; elementary and junior high coach; foster care parent; Head Start president of parent board; PTA president and member; youth grant writing committee; and after-school program founding member and volunteer.
Why are you running? I am committed to finding ways to give back and continue to provide our students with every possible opportunity to grow and succeed. I want to continue my position to help foresee unfinished projects and business to their end.
• David R. Shaffer
Occupation: Retired teacher.
Family: Wife Peggy Sue Shaffer; 10 children Michael, Karey, Kathy, Khrissy, Monte, Korrie, Mark, Matt, Micah, and Mason, who are all Columbia Falls High School graduates.
Education: Master’s degree in mathematics, physics and secondary education, University of Utah.
Background: Taught math and physics in Columbia Falls School District at the junior high and high school levels and worked as a part-time math instructor at Flathead Valley Community College, with more than 30 years of experience at end of the 1999-2000 school year; then taught physics for two years in California for San Rafael City Schools Terra Linda High School; spent a year as a district math specialist for Omak School District in Washington; and taught math and computer science for the Inchelium School District on the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington for seven years and retiring, capping a 40-year career. During his tenure in Columbia Falls, he saw the board’s supportive efforts to improve education by funding the introduction of new technology such as computers and graphing calculators.
Why are you running? I have a vested interest in our school system where 10 of my children graduated. I love our school system, staff and students and I have a drive to help where I can since I do not teach professionally.
Evergreen
There are 2,494 ballots being mailed to active, registered voters. Three candidates are trying for two open board positions.
• Christopher Goodwin
Occupation: Electronic technician foreman for BNSF Railway.
Family: Wife Meghan Goodwin; daughters Ella-Renae and Sidney; nephew Samuel.
Education: Great Falls High School; associate degree, Wenatchee Valley College; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, Central Washington University.
Background: Attended the School Boardsmanship Leadership Academy at Flathead Valley Community College.
Why are you running? I would like to be a trustee for the Evergreen School District because I believe in this community and would like to do more as a community member. I feel that the current board has done well in getting Evergreen where it is today but feel I can offer a new perspective on issues that are affecting the community and education today.
• James Waggener (incumbent)
Occupation: Construction project manager for Camas Creek contracting
Family: Wife Kristen; children, Alicia, 30, Ashley, 27
Education: Two-year certificate in diesel mechanics
Background: Has served 18 years on Evergreen School Board
Why are you running? I would love to serve another term with the team.
• Jon Wilson (incumbent)
Occupation: Self-employed, owner of auto repair shop.
Family: Wife Deborah; son Jon Wilson Jr. who is a paraprofessional for Evergreen School District.
Education: High school; years of technical school for automotive and accounting.
Background: School board trustee for about 15 years; self-employed for more than 30 years; and longtime member of the community.
Why are you running? The reason I’m running is I’ve been part of Evergreen school board team for many years and I want to help our kids be prepared for the challenges in life as they go into the next stages of their lives — high school, college and beyond. We’ve got a good thing going on in Evergreen.