Arlee Joint School District #8
Minutes
Arlee Board of Trustees
Date and Time
Tuesday February 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Location
Arlee High School
Trustees Present
Brian Johnson BigSam, Lindsey O'Neill, Lisa Koetter, Phaedrus Swab (remote), Samantha Lytle
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
Alfred DeRoche, Angela Shelby, Bonnie White, Brandon O'Brien, Cameron Lytle, Cory Beckham, Dennis BigSam Johnson, Dori Knoll, Dustin Shelby, Jerome Brovold, Lexx Pierre, Lonnie Morin, Mary Rose Morigeau, Paige Carney, Tashalei Nomee, Whitney Larson
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
D.
Approve Minutes
II. Consent Agenda
A.
Substitutes: Devin Adams (pending background check), Aiden Rheid Crawford (pending background check), Jessica McCay
B.
Out of District Travel - Salish Conference - Washington
C.
TR-6 and TR-5 1st Semester
D.
Student Teacher - Arlee Elementary - SiSi Whiteman
E.
Consent agenda vote
III. New Business
A.
Out of District Attendance - 2 incoming
phaedrus abstained
B.
Budget Committee Report
Discussion before the motion to table:
Superintendent Beckham presented information on savings by combining 7-8 with K-6, all housed in the new elementary. He stated it is possible to keep all the kids safe if we combined the two schools. At this time we are working to create a better outcome financially for next year.
Public Comment
Paige Carney expressed his reservations about going to a K-8. He met with the Superintendent about the move and he can now see why it needs to happen. He fears losing the JH, but the Superintendent helped relieve those fears.
Sue Carney, Arlee teacher, stated she appreciated the work done by the budget committee, but does not want to see our "littles" exposed to the JH kids. Also expressed concern about reopening the JH after a closure.
Cammie Dupuis-Pablo, stated she is not interested in her kids being around 7th or 8th graders as kindergartners.
Anne Tanner, elementary/JH principal, stated her only concern was unstructured time. She also stated that the current budget is not the fault of any one individual in the District.
Alfred DeRoche, questioned how we got to this point. He believes there are other possibilities to make up the defecit.
Board members expressed concerns as well. A community/staff survey will be done to get more input.
At this time, Lindsey O'Neill made the motion to table until a special meeting on February 25, 2026.
IV. Board Reports
A.
Administration Reports
Public Comment
Lexx Pierre: Wants to know more about the data. He expressed frustration with community involvement, school involvement, booster clubs, stating the Arlee schools have no identity, no culture. He stated buildings are old and dilapidated. Believes there should be funding for Native American students.
At this time HS principal/AD, Jake Bosley recommended the district consider moving from 6B to 7B. This item will be added to the special meeting on February 25, 2026.
B.
Arlee Federation of Teachers Report
AFT President, Bonnie White, stated a Letter to Negotiate has been given to the Board and look forward to getting started.
Cammie Dupuis-Pablo: Read a statement regarding concerns regarding Anaconda vs. Arlee basketball games in Anaconda on January 22nd.