Hays-Lodge Pole teacher is new Blaine superintendent

Terry Brockie, a teacher at Hays-Lodge Pole schools since 2004, has been named Blaine County superintendent of schools.

Blaine County commissioners tapped him to fill the vacancy created after Lisa Stroh resigned to become superintendent of the Valdez school system in Alaska.

Commissioner Chair Dolores Plumage said Brockie was chosen because of his enthusiasm.

“He was just so energetic about education,” she said.

Brockie is a graduate of Harlem High School, received his associate degree from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., and a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University-Billings.

“For the first few weeks, my goal will be to get acclimated and to learn the ropes,” he said.

As superintendent, he will oversee operations at the four larger school districts in the county — Chinook, Harlem, Hays-Lodge Pole and Turner. He will have day-to-day supervision responsibilities at the smaller, one-room schools.

He said he is looking forward to visiting all of the schools and becoming familiar with their students and their overall operation.

One of Stroh’s more time-consuming tasks in recent months has been the constant bedlam at Hays-Lodge Pole, where two factions are vying for control of the school board.

“I’ve tried not to get involved in the turmoil,” he said.

Brockie said he has steered clear of the uproar and has instead concentrated on the students.

“That will be in the forefront for me,” he said. “Not just at Hays-Lodge Pole but with the kids in all the schools.”

Brockie was formally sworn in by District Judge John Judge McKeon at courthouse ceremonies this morning.

He will serve the remainder of Stroh’s term. If he wishes, he could run for a four-year term in the 2014 county elections.