Arlee Joint School District #8
Minutes
Arlee Board of Trustees
Date and Time
Wednesday February 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Location
Elementary Commons - please enter through the new building
Trustees Present
Brian Johnson BigSam, Lindsey O'Neill, Lisa Koetter, Phaedrus Swab (remote), Samantha Lytle
Trustees Absent
None
Guests Present
Brandon O'Brien, Callie Difulgentis, Cameron Lytle, Cory Beckham, Desiree Fox, Dori Knoll, Elizabeth Beibinger, Emily Messer, Jason LaRance, Jeff Lammerding, Jerome Brovold, Karen Smith, Kelsi O'Brien, Ken Hill, Laura Curtiss, Lonnie Morin, Makenzie Felsman, Mary Stranahan, Melissa Zachariason, Nicole LaRance, Rhonda Kinney, Sarah Sorenson, Sierra Keating, Stephanie Hendrickson, Wendy Swab, Whitney Larson
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Public Comment
II. New Business
A.
Roots to Rise Contract with Side by Side
B.
Approve to request change from 6B to 7B for FY2027
C.
Tabled item from February 10, 2026: Recommendation to consolidate to K-8 in the new build
Public Comment
Stephanie Hendrickson: Opposed the consolidation. Written comments on file with the District .
Kelsi O'Brien: Opposed the consolidation. Written comments on file with the District.
Sierra Keating: Expressed concerns about the consolidation. She has students in both buildings and is concerned about the bigger kids with vulnerable younger kids
Melissa Zachariason, Arlee teacher: Expressed that the elementary has its issues, and the JH has its own set of issues. She believes that in order to have a cohesive building, we should get the behaviors under control in the K-6, before even considering bringing in the 7-8 students. She also expressed concerns about the 5-6 graders with 7-8 and asked that a strong plan be in place before a decision is made.
All Board members thanked the community for coming to the meeting and encouraged them to continue to be involved with the District. They also expressed appreciation to those that spoke during public comment. Each member also expressed their view on the consolidation and the District's current budget crisis.
Chair, Brian Johnson BigSam, called for a vote on the motion.