What is a School Board?
A School Board is a local government entity that acts as the bridge between community and schools – Board trustees listen to parents, students and staff about their visions for public schools and act as advocates for their districts to the superintendent, district leaders and broader elected officials. School board members are elected by you to make important decisions!
What Decisions are Made by the School Board?
- Select school superintendents
- Influence textbook selection and the inclusion of topics into school curriculum such as comprehensive sex education, climate, and historically accurate Indian Education
- Determine funding for school services and programs including extracurricular activities and mental health resources.
- Make and/or influence decisions around school policies, rules and regulations, such as school dress codes, graduation requirements, anti-discrimination policies, disciplinary protocols, and other operational decisions that affect day-to-day functioning of schools
I Don’t Have School Aged Kids – Why Should I Vote in the School Board Election?
Trustees play an important role in the health and well-being of our community by making decisions around school food services, funding for mental health resources, establishing school safety protocols and influencing law enforcement presence on school campuses. Trustees also have a huge impact on our communities’ taxes by making important decisions regarding levying local property taxes, purchasing town land and buildings for school services, and school construction, expansion, or closures. These are all issues that affect our entire community!
School Board Candidate Questions and Responses
Missoula Elementary/High School District #1 – K-12 trustee seat
Tim Baigent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
MCPS is in a financial crisis. Philosophically I believe the Board needs a reboot. On Feb. 11, 2025, the board discussed increasing taxes while voting to give the superintendent more money than he was asking for. We need a mindset change to fiscal responsibility over transferring the cost burden on to others. Create a 1 to N list prioritizing classrooms, relook vendor contracts (including benefits), reduce redundancies and put the money into the classroom before the boardroom.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
Missoula is becoming more diverse every year. As a social constructivist, I believe more voices add valuable insight to any issue. Our Native community, LGBTQ2S+ community, refugee community, and many others bring unique experiences that can enrich our community if we create space for them to do so. MCPS should be a safe place for everyone to meet academic standards and learn from each other.
Wilena Old Person
Incumbent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
Significant challenges are many but what has risen to the top for myself is the dismantling of the Dept of Ed. Local school boards like ours will become a critical line of defense for public education. We must fully protect and advocate for our community, push for equitable funding and hold the line when it comes to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has access to a quality education. Number 2 is budgets. I typed more but reached the character max.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
I am running for my third term, In my first term I helped form Inclusion Validation Action Learning Understanding Equity (IVALUE) Initiative at MCPS. Due to Covid and budget constraints, it has fallen by the way side. We are fully bringing it back to the forefront. I have been on the Board for EmpowerMT previously and was a trainer as well. As a person of color, I know what it feels like to be othered and work hard so that we change that culture within our schools.
Meg Whicher
Incumbent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
Our funding mechanisms from the state of Montana. We need a stronger allocation that reflects what it actually costs to educate a child in Montana that appropriately factors inflation.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
First, the public should understand that no single trustee is able to put a policy in place – it must be done as a board. l My work is listening to families and staff and then diving deep into advocacy work to make sure my co trustees understand the challenges and needs (and beauty) of LGBTQ2S+ children. I will continue to be vocal in my advocacy for trans kids in particular. Working with MCPS to advocate and champion policies that represent a strong stance on anti bullying and discrimination.
Keegan Witt
Incumbent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
The elementary school district declining enrollment and related budget challenges forcing cuts to staffing and programs.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
Missoula is great at this already and I will ensure the programs stay in place and the district is a safe place for all.
Hellgate School District #4
Tom Cook
Incumbent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
Privatization of education and related loss of funding.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
I believe it essential that all students, no matter their gender or sexual preference, be welcome in the classroom and treated with equal respect by students and staff. I will not hesitate to speak up in defense of LGBTQ2S+ students and educators when any individual or group is challenged.
Beth Herron
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
No Response
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
One of the most significant challenges in our district is decreased kindergarten enrollment, resulting in a decrease in available funds for the district.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
No Response
Scott Rouse
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
No
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
The most significant challenge facing our district is attracting and retaining qualified teachers and support staff amid rising costs and a competitive labor market. This directly impacts our ability to maintain small class sizes, expand programs, and ensure every student gets the support they need to succeed.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
All students deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported at school. Rather than focusing on specific programs for individual groups, I believe in policies that ensure fairness, kindness, and inclusion for every student. My goal is to support all children equally and foster a school environment where everyone can thrive.
Rodney Sharkey
Incumbent
Will you commit to investing in mental health services for students (i.e. school counselors, prevention programs, and access to community resources)?
Yes
Do you support universal free lunches for all students?
Yes
What do you see as the most significant challenge facing your school district right now? (70 word max)
Decreasing enrollment numbers and fiscal challenges in an uncertrain political world.
If elected, what policies or programs, if any, would you put in place to support LGBTQ2S+ youth? (70 word max)
My voice on the school board is 1 of 7 voting members , i do not have the authority to “put in place” any programs. That being said, I have already voted in support of many programs over the past 12 years on the board including Safer MT and the olweus anti bullying program
Missoula High School District A – High School Trustee Seat– Ann Wake (Incumbent)- did not respond to the questionnaire
Missoula High School District D – High School Trustee Seat– Lisa Davey (Incumbent) did not respond to the questionnaire
WTH is a levy
A levy on a ballot asks voters to agree to a property tax to collect a set dollar amount for a set amount of years. Schools need a levy because state funding does not fully cover the costs of education for students.
Missoula Elementary District General Fund Levy
This levy would help pay for the day-to-day operational costs of Missoula’s elementary schools including programs, salaries, textbooks, insurance, etc. A homeowner with an assessed value of $300,000 would pay $8.67 in increased annual property taxes.
A yes vote means:
Voting for the levy to help pay for operational costs of elementary schools.
A no vote means:
Voting against this levy and not helping to pay for operational costs of elementary schools.
Missoula High School District General Fund Levy
This levy would help pay for the day-to-day operational costs of Missoula’s high schools including programs, salaries, textbooks, insurance, etc. A homeowner with an assessed value of $300,000 would pay $2.01 in increased annual property taxes.
A yes vote means:
Voting for a levy to help pay for operational costs of high schools.
A no vote means:
Voting against the levy and not helping to pay for operational costs of high schools.
Missoula High School District Safety Fund Levy
This levy would pay for the security funding of Missoula’s high schools including school resource police officers, secure entries and doors, safety training, and camera systems. The total levy amount is $1million. A homeowner with an assessed value of $300,000 would pay $12.24 in increased annual property taxes.
A yes vote means:
Voting for a levy to pay for security costs of high schools.
A no vote means:
Voting against the levy and not paying for security costs of high schools.