Setback in mascot talks
Jennifer McBride/Leader Staff - Andy Holmlund gives his report at the school board meeting on Monday night.
By Jennifer McBride - Leader Staff
The Ronan School District and Francine Dupuis are back to the starting line, apparently, after her lawyer withdrew from the case last week, putting a temporary stop to negotiations on the school mascot issue.
At Monday's school board meeting, Superintendent Andy Holmlund anounced he had received a fax from Dupuis' lawyer stating the attorney would no longer represent Dupuis as she attempts to reach an agreement with the school district over its use of the Chiefs and Maidens mascots.
Dupuis filed suit more than four years ago, claiming the mascots are derogatory to Native Americans. After much negotiating, including a session last week mediated by the Montana Human Rights Bureau, the two sides seemed to be moving forward towards a compromise. However, with the withdrawal of Dupuis' attorney, a settlement appears to be in jeopardy, at least for now.
Holmlund said the district still plans to pursue an agreement though.
"We're going to continue with the settlement process," Holmlund said.
If Dupuis and district officials aren't able to reach an agreement, Holmlund said the parties have a hearing scheduled for March of 2008.
Until then, Holmlund said he will continue to work on crafting an agreement, which could affect everything from the arrowheads in the Ronan High School gym to Ronan's "flying R" symbol.
Dupuis said she didn't want to comment on the situation at this time.
The Ronan school board also listened to an update on the Ronan Fine Arts Performance Center. Steel girders are going up next to the school, and Holmlund said construction remains on schedule.
The Board also considered rising fuel costs. The district is expected to spend $30,000 on bus gas, $5,000 on gas for other uses and $70,000 on heating fuel for the coming year.
The School Board also hired Ryan Keltz as RHS Asst JV Boys Basketball Coach, Michael Graham as RMS Grade 7-8 Boys Basketball Coach, Misty Tanner as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach, Naomi Mock as Froshmore Girls Basketball Coach, Tina Westlie as RHS Attendence Clerk and Louie Paul as P/T Sp. Edu. Para-Pro at RMS.
The trustees accepted the resignations of Judy Janssen, Attendence Clerk, Chasi Stonehocker, froshmore girls basketball coach and Jerry Hawley, Co-Owner's Representative.