Carlson talks district challenges, new leave policy

Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson discussed replacing vacant school district positions, the challenges of keeping personnel and the new teacher leave policy.

After Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, Carlson said no one has been interviewed for the position of assistant principal at Havre High School yet. The district will wait until incoming principal Mike Haugen comes to town, which is Thursday. Carlson said it makes sense that Haugen would have input as to who will fill the position.

When asked if outgoing assistant principal Kipp Lewis’ departure was unexpected, he replied that the move ”makes sense,” adding that Lewis is looking forward to going back to where he grew up.

Carlson said that by the next school board meeting, the district should have candidates awaiting approval for every certified position, referring to multiple position that have been vacated this past school year.

"We're in pretty good shape," he said.

Carlson also commented on some of the challenges the district faces.

He said that teacher pay in the district can “absolutely” be an issue.

“I can’t fiscally compete with a Bozeman or a Kalispell,” he said.

He added that smaller school districts would say the same about the Havre school district.

Teacher workload has also come up as an issue.

In an interview several weeks ago, now-retired math teacher Mary Wagner said some teachers have only one preparatory period during the school day, whereas the norm used to be two. Wagner said it had made her tired and was something she considered when retiring.

Carlson replied that if teachers are saying it, then it must be an issue. He said he has, indeed, heard the workload concern.

The new time-off policy, which was approved Tuesday night, means teachers will now get 13 days discretion leave that can be used any time, instead of 23 total vacation, personal and bereavement days.

The new policy goes into effect July 1. Carlson said saving money was not the main motivation for the new policy. He called it "something different."