1. education
2. school

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CHECKLIST FOR VOTING
SUCCESS
Are you registered to vote?
If you’re not registered, school board
elections unfortunately do not have late
registration and the deadline for
registration has already passed.
The good news is you can always check
your voting status at my voter page.
Have you received your ballot?
All school board ballots are mailed
directly to your home. Ballots should be
mailed out around April 20th. If you
haven’t received your ballot by the 23rd,
give the elections office a call or check
the handy dandy my voter page.
WHY VOTE IN SCHOOL
BOARD ELECTIONS?
What does a school board trustee
do?
Appoints the superintendent, and since
MCPS’s current superintendent is
resigning, whoever is elected this spring
will play a huge role in determining our
next superintendent.
Sets policies determining which
programs are offered and textbooks or
technology is purchased.
Adopts the budget deciding how federal,
state, and local taxes will be spent in the
coming year.
What do you want in a trustee?
Have you turned in your ballot?
Look, your ballot comes with like four
different envelopes with teeny tiny
writing on them. Even we get confused
by that sh*t. So here’s a basic how-to to
make sure your vote counts.
If you’re still having problems, call, email
or stop by our office, and we’ll walk you
through the process.
Remember, your ballot is due by
Tuesday, May 5th! If you haven’t mailed
it by May1st, we recommend you drop it
off at the courthouse!
It’s important to consider what you want
in a school board trustee. By knowing
your values, understanding the role of
the school board, and learning about the
trustees you can make a smart and
valuable contribution to our public
schools.
Thank you for voting!
Finally, we at Forward Montana would
like to thank you for voting and making
tangible change for our community.
WHAT DISTRICT DO YOU LIVE IN?
Check out the school board districts below to get an idea of what candidates are
running in your district!
Elementary District
District C
District C
District B
MISSOULA ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT #1
There are three candidates running to represent Missoula elementary district and high
school district #1 which encompasses the elementary district and surrounding areas
including Bonner, Target Range, Lolo, Hellgate, Clinton, Sunset, and Swan Valley (area
too large for map). Two trustees will be elected to represent this district, and each will
serve for three years.
MICHAEL J SMITH
GRACE MCNAMEE DECKER
Website
JOHN FLETCHER
MICHAEL J SMITH
(Incumbent)
Phone: 406-493-2060 or 728-4611
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I have a 55-gallon fish tank in my bathroom.
Why should People Vote for You?
I am fully vested in the Missoula community and in the school district. For the past five years, I have taken my role
on this board very seriously and have devoted thousands of hours of time into knowing and understanding the
views and objectives of all stakeholders on every issue that has come before me. I want to make sure that every
child in Missoula receives the best possible education, and I believe in our teachers, in the students, and in the
community as a whole. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Personnel, Negotiations,
and Policy Committee. I have an excellent attendance record at regular board meetings, committee meetings,
budget meetings, special meetings, hearings, and school building visits. By investing the time that it takes to really
know the issues, I bring an informed and knowledgeable voice to the discussion. My message is of leadership,
experience, involvement, and engagement. We, as a board, have some very important issues coming up and
ongoing, and I believe that my experience on this board will be key in achieving those milestones.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
Two of the biggest challenges facing the next Board are the obvious ones: The facilities bond and picking the right
replacement for Dr. Apostle. I have been an active participant in the development of the bond, as I have worked
closely with many of the numerous committees throughout the district that have provided input to the formation of
the bond as well as with the many consultants that we have enlisted to do this essential work. My direct
experience with this bond and my experience as an engineer is key to both ensuring that we pass and implement
the bond thoughtfully, efficiently, and with an eye to the future. Also, as vice chair of the Board, I have had the
opportunity to work very closely with the superintendent and to observe all aspects of this very important position. I
will work hard to ensure that our next superintendent continues the very important work that we have started in this
district, including maintaining our great programs; striving to help every student succeed; and creating and
maintaining welcoming and inclusive environments for each and every one of our students, regardless of ability,
economic background, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or sexual identity.
What is your top objective and why?
My main objective is to do the best for the children and families of Missoula County, and for the community.
Obviously, I'm a huge advocate for public school. I've got two kids in the system right now, and I put my heart and
soul into my position on this board. I spend a lot of time, but I'm lucky enough that I can do that. It's important to
me that we continue to excel. MCPS is one of the best districts in the state, and in the country. The statistics
clearly show our progress, and we cannot rest on our laurels, as we have much more to do. We have a great
community, with great teachers and administrators. Our students deserve the best.
GRACE MCNAMEE DECKER
Phone: 406-830-0870 or 726-6446
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I played fiddle and sang with the
honkytonk and swing band Cash for Junkers for
15 years.
Website
Why should People Vote for You?
I have been committed to education in Missoula for over 20 years. I am committed to
collaborative, creative problem solving, and to building positive relationships as well as
achieving great results.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
The superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools recently resigned; we will need to
identify and hire a new superintendent who will shape the district for many years to come.
The District has also been working for more than four years to prepare for technology
upgrades, building renovations, and program improvements, all of which mean that voters
will be asked for a very large bond request this coming fall. Ensuring that the bond
passes, and then implementing the plans made, is a massive undertaking. And finally, it's
always a challenge to build and maintain great communication among all the parties
involved in the schools and make sure that all voices can be heard in a positive,
respectful and productive way.
What is your top objective and why?
My main objective is to advocate for the learners within the system and make sure their
perspective is at the heart of every decision made.
JOHN FLETCHER
Phone: 406-721-4267
Email: [email protected]
Why should People Vote for You?
The Board of MCPS Trustees is a team; its actions are the collective will of the full
Board. However, the Board is composed of individual members, each bringing valuable experience
and perspective. Should I be elected, I believe I would be the trustee with the most prior
experience of service on other local government boards; I would be the trustee with the most
extended formal education in practice and philosophy of public education; I would be the only
trustee who has been an MCPS employee; I would be the trustee with the longest record of
volunteer service to MCPS (almost 30 years as a classroom aide, writing coach). The citizens of
our community are directly responsible for the Board’s composition. My personal sense is that I
can offer valuable contributions to the Board in its conduct of the public’s business...and that’s why I
ask to serve.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
In date order: Hiring an Interim Superintendent, promoting passage of the coming bond issue,
assessing the feasibility of a fourth high school in the Missoula Urban Area, hiring a (permanent)
Superintendent.
What is your top objective and why?
The biggest issue—always—is that the public understands and supports the general notion of
Public Education. I’m hesitant to suggest additional work for members of the MCPS Board but,
because no one else is doing it, I think trustees should lead community discussions, which
“rediscover” the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann, Helen Parkhurst, John Dewey, and
more modern thinkers like Sylvia Ashton-Warner and Diane Ravitch. Trustees should consider
becoming “missionaries” who bring principles of public education and the MCPS Mission into the
living rooms and meeting spaces of our community.
MISSOULA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT B
There are three candidates running in District B, which includes Bonner and Target
Range. The one candidate elected to serve on the Board of Trustees in this district will
serve for three years. They make primary decisions for elementary schools in the area
and secondary decisions for high schools.
JAMES H SADLER
LISA TRIEPKE
Website
KORBIN BRAGSTAD
Website
JAMES H SADLER
(Incumbent)
Phone: 406-728-4743
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I
am a Master Judge of Horticulture and Floral Design
for the National Garden Clubs. I also teach floral design for the
American Rose Society, as I am an American Rose Society
Judge. I am the regional vice president for the American Iris
Society. I also am the Superintendent of the Floral Culture
building at the Western Montana Fair. I belong to the Midget
Patrol of the Western Montana Shrine participating in parades
in support of the Shrine Hospital in Spokane, Washington. I have
a dovecote of white pigeons that I release at games and events. I
have a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Montana, a
Masters of Social Work degree from Portland, Oregon, and a
BA degree from the University of Great Falls. I live with my wife
of 25 years in the Target Range District.
Why should People Vote for You?
It has been a pleasure to serve our community as MCPS High School Trustee. During my
time as Trustee, it is my encouragement that helped establish the Willard Alternate High
School program and the Graduation Matters program. I am a steadfast supporter of
educators and an advocate for students. I am running because my priorities ensuring that
all students can succeed and that educators have a voice are not yet fulfilled. I believe that
my 20 years' experience will ensure success and help for the MCPS Trustees; many of
them are new to the Board and have less than 2 years' experience. Out of the 17 principals
in the district 15 are relatively new. The Board Chair is not running for re-election. Our
Superintendent recently announced his retirement. I believe my retention on the Board is
vital. I am asking you to vote for me on May 5th. My district is the Target Range and Bonner
Elementary Districts. If you do not live within my district, please ask your friends that do live
there to vote for me.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
See above
What is your top objective and why?
See above
LISA TRIEPKE
Phone: 406-542-0023
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I minored in Russian in college at the
University of Dayton (GO FLYERS!) and can sing
“Oh Christmas Tree” in Russian.
Website
Why should People Vote for You?
After spending seven years on the Target Range School board, I believe I have the
qualities and skills needed to participate in transparent conversations regarding our
children’s education.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
The most immediate challenge will be finding a qualified superintendent who possesses
the qualities needed to run a large school district. We have chosen a great interim
candidate, which allows us the time to focus on finding a long-term replacement.
What is your top objective and why?
My top objective is to base all my decisions on candid, open conversations, research of
the issues at hand and working collaboratively with the group of trustees. To do this, we
need to be transparent in our efforts and educate ourselves on the issues at hand.
KORBIN BRAGSTAD
Phone: 406-529-3890
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I'm kind of a boss at parallel
parking.
Website
Why should People Vote for You?
Well, I think I bring a different perspective to the board. I think that there is no young
leadership right now, we need a fresh face with new ideas, someone who's going to play
devil’s advocate, someone who's going to ask questions, and I think I can be that
person. I was just in the Hellgate High School system, I've been there, I've experienced
what they're talking about on the board every day, and I think that's a very unique
perspective that no other board member has right now.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
I think something that the school district really needs to work on is transparency and
openness, and also working closer with families and teachers. Being in Hellgate, I know
every day I would hear teachers say something about how they didn’t feel like they had
the resources they needed, and the school board wasn’t working with them. The
students were frustrated because they saw on the news an executive pay raise was
going through, and they were using computers that were older than they were. Also,
running for office, I’ve noticed, it's hard to find information on the board. If you go online,
you can find the hours and the minutes but that doesn't always tell you exactly what's
going on. I think it's important that the information is out there, and everyone can know
what's going on, and everyone is given a voice on the board. And that's what the board
is supposed to do, be the voice of the people for this massive bureaucracy that is our
education system.
What is your top objective and why?
My biggest passion has to be equality amongst students, and equal opportunity for
everyone. So, as a school board member, I will always be thinking about students who
maybe didn't have the best shot growing up, who were disadvantaged. So, I think that is
probably the most important thing to me. Specific things that we can do to help them
include having better financial aid for things like IB, which cost a lot of money.
MISSOULA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT C
District C is Hellgate Elementary District. Only one candidate filed for this district so the
election has been cancelled and she will take a seat on the Board of Trustees by
acclamation. She will serve for three years.
MARCIA HOLLAND
(Incumbent)
Phone: 406-529-5468
Email: [email protected]
Fun Fact: I play hockey and both my teams ended
up in the championship game this past winter (and
we won one championship game and lost the other in
a double overtime shootout).
Why should people vote for you?
No response.
What do you see as key challenges facing the school district?
We will be hiring a new superintendent. As a board we have a goal of continuing to
support our five district objectives throughout the transition to a new superintendent.
We will be seeking community support for our SmartSchools 2020 bond this
November. The bond is critical to address safety concerns, old and outdated
facilities and being able to provide our students and staff with a 21st century learning
environment.
What is your top objective and why?
To have a smooth transition during the hiring process of a new superintendent and to
support the bond so that it is successful.
ABOUT THE UNDERAGE DEMOCRACY PROJECT
The Underage Democracy Project is an internship program that gives high school
students across Missoula the opportunity to get civically engaged. We mobilize
students to have a voice before they have a vote by hitting the streets with grassroots
democracy.
Since our founding in spring of 2013, we have made huge strides for civic
education in Missoula high schools.
We turned out over 70% of high school students we registered to vote for the
technology levies in 2013.
High school students have logged over 1,800 volunteer hours making calls,
knocking doors, speaking at the capitol, and engaging their peers.
They have registered over 1,000 people to vote in just the past two years.
Even this voter guide is brought to you by two of our fantastic interns.
EMMA NORTON
HANNAH FRADKIN
(Like-a-boss Norton)
(Lady Rad-kin)
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Want to learn more about Forward Montana and join the movement? Sign up here!