Mediator will work with principal, superintendent

By Ethan Smith

Leader Staff

The Polson school board voted Monday night to bring in a mediator to resolve “communication” issues board members say are hampering the working relationship between Cherry Valley principal Elaine Meeks and superintendent Sue McCormick.

With attorneys present representing both Meeks and the school district, board members expressed concern about the situation, but did not elaborate on the problem during Monday night’s public meeting, which followed a closed-door meeting about the issue Feb. 14.

Meeks told the board she was confused about what, if any, problems existed, while board chair Theresa Taylor emphasized it wasn’t performance-related, but a communication problem.

“I’m being told through written communication … that there’s a ‘deteriorating relationship.’ I’m trying to do my job the best I can,” Meeks said. “I’m not sure what is being characterized as a ‘deteriorating relationship.’”

“The board is concerned about the continued working relationship” between the two, board chair Theresa Taylor said at the meeting. “You’re key people to the running of this district.”

John Horrell and Jon Beal, attorneys with the Beal Law Firm in Missoula, are representing Meeks. Horrell said at Monday night’s meeting that Meeks is open to mediation, and McCormick also said that might be the best route to take, but Horrell expressed frustration at not being able to see the specifics of Meeks’ contract with the district prior to the meeting.

Horrell said he requested copies of Meeks’ contract on March 1, but did not receive them in time, and therefore didn’t have time to weigh Meeks’ options regarding the situation.

“We haven’t had an opportunity to review those documents. We are operating under a degree of uncertainty,” Horrell said, asking the board to postpone the agenda item.

But he said he’s open to mediation as an option, an idea that McCormick endorsed, too.

“Mediation is a process that facilitates communication and I said in an email that I’m open to that … to the process of resolving whatever difficulties there are now,” McCormick told Horrell and Meeks.

Meeks said after the meeting she has an annual contract with the district, but that she isn’t sure what the contract specifies regarding disciplinary or mediation options in the event of conflict with the superintendent’s office. She declined to elaborate on what took place during the Feb. 14 meeting, since it took place behind closed doors.

Horrell and school district attorney Elizabeth Kaleva disagreed on whether Meeks had waived her right to a closed-door meeting Feb. 14, but both sides agreed to document the discrepancy in notes related to the meeting, which were not made public Monday night.

Taylor emphasized to Meeks that her performance as a principal wasn’t the issue, but only that the board was concerned about the working relationship between her and McCormick.

“No one is saying you’re not doing your job. All we’re proposing is mediation regarding the working relationship between you two,” Taylor said.

The board voted unanimously to allocate funds for a mediator, but no mediation date was set. They noted that participation in mediation was “voluntary” at this point.

In other school board news, the board also voted to approve requests for both an elementary and high school levy, which will mean voters will be asked to approve additional funding amounts later this year, as part of their tax assessments. However, the board has until April 13 to specify the amount of money they will be asking voters for.

Part of the problem, the board noted, is that the Legislature is still in session, and many school funding issues are unresolved. Linderman principal Steve York, who monitors pending bills that could affect education and funding, said the situation doesn’t look good for the district.

He said in-fighting between the governor’s office and the two main parties over proposed budget plans could end up hurting the district.

“It’s not a healthy situation right now,” York said.

However, voters have approved levy amounts each time the board has put them to a vote over the past couple of years.

Ross Hoyt, of the Committee to Save Big Arm School, was also at the meeting, and said during the public comment period that committee members would be presenting the board with a plan to save the school at next month’s meeting. The Big Arm community has expressed a desire to save the school, which sits on valuable property, while board members have a legal obligation to do what’s in the best financial interests for the district.

Next month’s meeting was moved from April 9 to April 2 at 7 p.m., to accommodate board members and school district employees who have plans over Easter break.