Polson retains teachers

POLSON — Polson schools’ budget is in the black, despite a drop of about $65,000 in the high school portion.

Through shuffling positions, changing class sections in some grades and not refilling open positions, the district has managed to maintain jobs, said Pam Owen, the district’s business manager.

“At this moment, we’re not having to let anyone go,” Owen said.

Based on class sizes, second grade will increase to seven classrooms, third grade will remain the same at five classrooms and fourth grade will decrease by one classroom to five, she said.

The budget — set at an elementary general fund of $7,617,002 and a high school general fund of $3,846,849 —  does not include any salary increases for classified or certified employees. Both are in negotiations with the district now, Owen said.

The district is anticipating a $52,000 hit to its Title 1 money, allocated by the federal government, but is backfilling funds to maintain positions, Owen said.

Three possible new positions discussed at an earlier school board meeting — a family coordinator, dean of students at the high school and an instructional coach — are on hold but remain on the district’s wish list, she said. Board members at their Monday meeting did approve a stipend for Scott Wilson, who has been serving as both the high school assistant principal and athletic director without any additional pay. Wilson will receive $11,929.56 in arrears, Owen said. A stipend for next year depends partly on the final decision about the dean of students position.