Four vie for three Havre school board seats: Tim Scheele

Tim Scheele, a current member of the Havre Public School Board is running to remain on the board in one of three seats along with candidates Curtis Smeby and Cindy Erickson, both incumbents, and Erin Pulse, a newcomer.

Scheele said his motivation for staying on the board isn't just a matter of principal, but personal as well.

"I have five kids, four of which are currently part of Havre Public Schools, and I want to see that my kids get a quality education as well as all the kids in Havre, and since I'm not a teacher anymore the best way to do that is to make sure there's policies and procedures to facilitate that education," he said.

Scheele said his background gives him perspective on what it's like for teachers in the school system and having his children in the system makes his job all the more important.

"I have a background in education, I do know some of the struggles that teachers face," he said, "Obviously, it's evolved since I've been there. But I'm also a community member that has kids, so I have a vested interest in our schools."

Scheele said Havre Public Schools is living up to expectations, and he doesn't see any major upheavals on the horizon.

"Just making sure that the kids' best interests are taken care of and making sure the teachers have what they need to succeed in the classroom, just continuing that is really what I want to see," he said, "I don't see that there are many big changes that need to be made at our schools."

However, Scheele said, he does have some concerns about challenges the schools may face in the near future.

He said the first priority is figuring out where class attendance is going to be at in the coming years. He said these numbers are vital information to the schools because it plays a role in hiring teachers, what electives can be offered at the high school, and what kind of funding the schools gets.

"We'd always like new kids in our schools because we think they do a great job, but at the same time we need to find that number that it's gonna stay at, then we can make sure we are staffed accordingly," he said.

Scheele said teachers often have a hard time adapting when enrollment numbers fluctuate significantly early in the year, which has been an issue in the past.

Regarding the more immediate issue of the COVID-19 pandemic he wishes there could have been more preparation but thinks the school district responded well overall.

"Looking back, we possibly could have been more prepared, but at the same time, I'm not sure how you prepare for something that no one has ever seen before," Scheele said, "I think the district did a great job of responding."

He said he thinks the district has done as well as it could have in their implementation of remote learning, but said it can never replace students being in a classroom.

"You can't replace face time with a teacher," he said, "Teachers are too valuable for that."

"I know that our parents are teaching their kids the best they can, some students are thriving in it, but others are struggling," he added.

Scheele said he looks forward to having students back in the classrooms and getting back to normal.

"That's what Havre Public Schools does, pick up where we left off and strive towards excellence," he said.

When it comes to the prospect of schools re-opening on May 7, Scheele said he has mixed feelings.

"There's benefits to both, but there are drawbacks to both," he said.

He said he wants the input of health care professionals and teachers, and considers their perspectives highly valuable in making any determination.

Scheele said he's prepared to engage with the public and get them the information they need to know regarding the school system.

"I can answer questions for the public, when people have questions, and if I don't know it I will find out and get back to you, or I can point them to who they need to speak to," he said, "That's kind of just me in a nutshell."

Editor's note: This story was completed before the board voted Tuesday on re-opening classrooms.

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Born in1982, raised in Fort Benton 

Graduated from Fort Benton High School, 2001 

Elementary education and P.E. degree from Montana State University-Northern, attended Dickinson State in Dickinson, N.D., and Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn.

Worked as a teacher in Big Sandy and then Rocky Boy schools taking a job with BNSF as a machinist. Took over a farm and ranch a couple of years ago to give children a chance to grow up outside of town.

Wife, Laura Scheele; daughter, Kami, 12; son, Karter, 10; son, Kord, 7; son, Kace, 6, and son, Knox 4.