Uncategorized
Big Sky School District makes eight new hires, still faces staffing challenges
Published
7 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Sarah Gianelli EBS Associate Editor
BIG SKY – At a special meeting of the Big Sky School District board Aug. 7, the first order of business was a discussion of losing one of their candidates for a fifth grade teacher position, leaving the district only 20 days to fill the spot before school commences Aug. 28.
Although they had received written commitment from the candidate, after deeper consideration of the housing limitations and overall expense of living in Big Sky, he rescinded his decision.
“We spend a significant amount time talking with our candidates, vetting and interviewing,” said Superintendent Dustin Shipman. “Usually we’re there with 90 percent of our applicants, then it comes down to ‘What is my life really going to look like in [Big Sky]?’” Shipman added that it isn’t simply the financial burden of living in Big Sky that is a deterrent to prospective employees, but the sheer lack of housing available.
“Sooner or later people have to do the calculation,” he said.
The district filled the fifth grade teacher position on Aug. 14 with Bradi Watkins, a Montana State University graduate from Helena, but difficulty finding a bus driver is ongoing. Half a dozen members of the Karst community, whose bus route will be suspended until they find another driver, were on hand to voice their concerns. Karst is approximately 7.5 miles north of Big Sky on Highway 191.
Shipman explained that the most rural routes serving the least number of children are cancelled first. Transportation services for students in the Black Butte and 320 Ranch areas south of Big Sky on Highway 191 have already been discontinued.
“We’re sending you a bus as soon as we find a driver,” said Loren Bough, chair of the Big Sky School District Board of Trustees.
Bough added that they’re facing the same challenges when it comes to hiring—and retaining—teachers, coaches and drivers.
“The housing crisis here is affecting us in all three of those categories,” he said. “It’s a Big Sky problem.”
BSSD made eight new teacher hires for the 2017-2018 school year after losing multiple employees, including Spanish teacher Keith McHugh who resigned after two years; athletic director and technology teacher Matt Bakken; and fifth grade teacher Michaella Croskey. Shipman noted that they were all commuters.
“I think we have good data that indicates the shelf life of commuters,” said Shipman, making a direct correlation between people opting to commute and the cost and availability of housing in Big Sky.
“Sooner or later you want to be a homeowner,” Shipman said. “You don’t want roommates … you want to move into adulthood. This is probably one of the top places in the world to raise a family, but you have to be able to live here.”
He said securing “support staff” is the most challenging of all, referencing the limited custodial staff the district has been operating with.
“It’s the army of people that keep everything rolling behind the scenes,” Shipman said. “Kitchen people, bus drivers … [a lack of drivers] is the most glaring because it has the most direct impact on the families.”
Read introductory profiles of the eight new Big Sky School District faculty members in a special back-to-school section in the Sept. 1 issue of EBS.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm