Powder River Examiner -

By Broadus Schools Superintendent Jim Hansen

1-13-2020

It is my hope that you and your families had an enjoyable Christmas and the beginnings of a productive and enjoyable new year.

Frequently I hear from perspective employers the importance of skilled employees, but also the lack of employees who are dependable and consistently able to attend work. As the skills needed to be employable are continually evolving at a rapid pace, one requirement has remained constant: individuals who are reliable.

The goal of K-12 education is to produce students with the cognitive skills to be life-long learners, but do we teach students to be dependable? We must expect that students attend class on time and have an attendance policy that prepares them for future employment. Your high school attendance policy requires students have no more the ten (10) absences in a 90 day semester. Those who exceed this absence limitation must make-up days to receive credit. In an effort to encourage good attendance we implemented the semester tests exemption policy where students do not take final exams provided they miss three or fewer days of school. The majority of grades 9-12 students are absent fewer than three days each semester. A well-rounded education includes more than the intellectual skills to enter the workforce. It must include an expectation from the district and staff that graduates acquire the personal and social skills to be dependable employees.

The board will discuss the superintendent’s evaluation at their January meeting. Most superintendent evaluations are conducted in executive session. Typically superintendents are evaluated by their board of trustees annually in December or January. Superintendent contracts can be for a period of up to three years. Since the average stay of a Montana superintendent is less than three years in a district, you generally see numerous superintendent openings particularly in January and February.

Best wishes to all of you for a productive and healthy 2020.