Dear Columbus Cougar Families and the Columbus Community,
We hope that this finds you well. As we are approaching our Christmas break, I would like to thank you for your support of Columbus Public Schools and entrusting us with your children. Because of your commitment to our school, we thrive. We hope that all of you can take the time to relax and enjoy each other over the holidays with your loved ones.
As the superintendent of the school district, I am extremely pleased with the efforts of our faculty and students. Academics and student growth continue to be a primary focus. We have made significant gains up to this point, and my heart is full moving into the Christmas break. I am excited for what 2026 brings us.
The following is a summary of some of the key topics at the district level at Columbus Public Schools.
Transparency to Stakeholders
We are committed to providing full transparency of district operations to everyone in our school community. It is important that we develop, earn, and maintain trust with all stakeholders. A lack of transparency can often lead to misinformation and speculation. We want everyone to know they can contact us at any time with questions, comments, or concerns. We also encourage you to visit our website and Facebook page for updated school information.
School Board Meetings
Monthly regular school board meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the high school library. The Columbus School Board consists of five trustees who are responsible for adopting budgets, setting policy, hiring and firing employees, evaluating the superintendent, and governing the district. Trustees play a vital role in shaping the future of our schools.
Trustee Vacancy
The trustees recently declared a vacancy due to a resignation at the December meeting. The vacancy has been published, and we are currently seeking letters of interest from those interested in serving. The appointment is expected to occur at the January 13th meeting and will run through May 5, 2026. Letters of interest should be submitted to our Business Manager, Kari Econom, by 4:00 p.m. on January 9. If you would like to be more involved in district governance, we encourage you to reach out to learn more about serving as a trustee.
School Election- May 5, 2026
School elections take place on the first Tuesday in May; this year, the election is May 5, 2026. At the December school board meeting, trustees passed a resolution to conduct a school election by mail ballot. Appearing on the ballot will be two three-year trustee positions and one one-year trustee position. Other measures, such as a technology or general fund levy, may also appear on the ballot and will be decided by the trustees at the January or February meetings.
If you are interested in running for an open trustee position, please contact the school for a “Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy for Trustee Candidates” form. The deadline to submit this form is February 9, 2026. The form is also available on the school website.
School Safety
The safety and well being of our students, staff and families continues to be a top priority at Columbus Public Schools. School safety is essential to student learning and we have an obligation to provide a safe and positive learning environment.
We have a dedicated safety committee that meets regularly to discuss safety measures of the school campus. The committee includes school staff, administration, the SRO, and school board members.
Montana requires schools to conduct a minimum of eight disaster drills per year, including fire, earthquake, and intruder drills. Schools must also adopt a “Threat Assessment Protocol” to guide the assessment of potential threats by students. The protocol is followed by a Threat Assessment Team composed of teachers, administrators, counselors, and the SRO. If a threat is deemed credible, it is handled according to law and board policy.
Additionally, schools must maintain an Emergency Operations Plan detailing procedures during emergencies. This plan will be formally adopted at the January 13th school board meeting and reviewed annually. Once adopted, it will be available on the school website.
We are pleased with the progress made in school safety and remain committed to continuous improvement.
New and Improved School Website
We are excited to announce that a new website was approved by the trustees in October. The new site will be more user-friendly, ADA accessible, and includes an all-in-one communications platform. With this system, content can be published once and automatically shared across the website, mobile app, and social media. Alerts and messages can also be sent directly through the platform.
The website rollout is scheduled for December 19th. The mobile app is still in development and will be launched after the new year. We will keep you informed as the rollout progresses.
Columbus School’s Strategic Plan
Montana accreditation rules require schools to develop and maintain a strategic plan for continuous improvement. Columbus has met this requirement in previous years, and we are currently revamping our plan with assistance from the Montana Schools Board Association.
Our internal strategic planning committee consists of the full school board, administration, and three faculty members. This year, we have met twice and used surveys from parents, staff, and the community to guide planning. The strategic plan outlines our core purpose, values, big audacious goal, desired future, key barriers, and four key goals: academic achievement, staff professional development, community engagement, and safety.
A draft of the strategic plan will be presented for approval at the January 13th school board meeting. Once approved, it will be shared with stakeholders and posted on the school website.
Columbus School’s Bus Barn Project
Over the course of the last year, there has been discussion to pursue and construct a new bus barn which would be located on the 30-acre school site on the east side of town, just south of the hospital. The new facility will house all school buses, provide water and sewer, be heated and insulated, and include an office and restroom for drivers. The current facility is inadequate, leaving some buses parked outside and lacking essential utilities.
After board approval, a bid notice was published, receiving 12 competitive bids with several ranging from approximately $1.8 to $2 million. Bids were opened December 16th and are currently under review. Information will be shared with the board at a publicly noticed meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 30th at 2:00 p.m. in the high school library. Public comment will be welcomed.
Once a contractor is selected, the project will be funded through a loan from a local bank or the Board of Investments. Montana statute allows school loans up to 15 years. Payments could be made using metal mines revenue or transportation funds, both of which may be used for facility construction.
If the new bus barn is approved to move forward, the current bus barn will continue to be used for school vehicle storage, maintenance equipment, and other storage needs. Remaining space may be repurposed for a wrestling facility or spring sports practice area.
In Closing
We welcome you to reach out to the school at any time and look forward to working together to make Columbus Public Schools the best it can be. With gratitude, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Casey Klasna
Superintendent