Shepherd Public Schools June Regular Board Meeting Summary
Meeting Overview
Meeting: June Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time: June 17, 2026, 6:30 PM
Location: Shepherd Public Schools District #37 Board Room, 7842 Shepherd Rd., Shepherd, Montana 59079
This summary is based only on the information contained in the meeting packet materials provided for the June Regular Board Meeting.
Meeting Highlights
The Board addressed routine district business, personnel matters, student enrollment items, operational contracts, facility-related items, and the annual organization of the Board for the 2026–2027 school year.
Consent Agenda
The Board considered consent agenda items related to district business claims, accounts, and meeting records.
An Elementary motion was made to approve Elementary business claims and accounts, including April claims 134783–134840.
A High School/Joint motion was made to approve High School business claims and accounts, including April claims 134783–134840, along with approval of the April regular meeting minutes.
Both motions passed unanimously.
Hearing of the Public
During the hearing of the public, an update was provided regarding the wrestling building.
Shepherd AAU had signed a contract with an engineer to move forward with determining boundary lines and completing DEQ work.
After Shepherd AAU provides building blueprints to the engineer, documents will be prepared for presentation to the Board regarding moving the property from the District’s name into Shepherd AAU’s name.
Administrators provided updates from their reports.
The packet listed the following informational topics:
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Building Use Requests
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Water
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Nurse’s Report
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Resignations:
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Josh Greenfield — Custodian
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Deb Cossitt — Route Driver
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Missing Children
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Milligan School Data — Parent Surveys
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Fire Inspections
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Performing Arts Club Success and Grant
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CSCT Rate Changes from YBGR
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Daycare Grant
New Business
Personnel and Human Resources
The Board considered district staffing items.
District Hires
The packet listed the following hires:
- Kinsey Szillat — Business Manager
- McKenna Dennison — Activities Accountant/Assistant Clerk
- Bobby Trotter — Transportation Director
- Tina Downing — High School Athletic Director/SPED Director
- Jennifer Suko-Hooker — Nurse
Transportation Positions
The following transportation positions were listed:
- Judy Parra — Route Driver
- Jerry Williams — Route Driver
- Denise Bacon — Route Driver
- Wayne Butler — Route Driver
- Ron Schwindt — Route Driver
- Pamela Brumlow — Route Driver
- Calvin Calton — Route Driver
- Bill Rusche — Route Driver
- Adrian Leischner — Route Driver
Additional Staffing Items
The packet also listed:
- Summer Crew Custodians
- Amber Hemmer
- Cindy Sieler
- Donabelle Watanabe
Other Positions
- Caitlynn Wilson — High School Science Teacher (pending background check)
- Salome Antonio — Custodian
- Josh Greenfield — Middle School Paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year and the 2026–2027 school year
- HaiLeigh Davis — Middle School AD (pending background check)
- HaiLeigh Davis — Middle School Softball Coach (pending background check)
A High School/Joint motion was made to approve the listed hires. The motion passed unanimously.
Superintendent Authorized District Representative
The Board considered reappointing the superintendent as the Authorized District Representative for the 2026–2027 school year.
A High School/Joint motion was made to appoint the superintendent as Authorized District Representative.
The motion passed unanimously.
Out-of-District Students
The Board considered out-of-district student approvals.
2025–2026 School Year
Listed approvals included:
Elementary Approval List:
High School Approval List:
Elementary and High School motions were made to approve the listed out-of-district students. Both motions passed unanimously.
2026–2027 School Year
Listed approvals included:
Middle School:
High School:
Elementary and High School/Joint motions were made to approve the listed out-of-district students. Both motions passed unanimously.
Operations and Facilities
Propane Bids
The Board reviewed two propane bids for the 2026–2027 school year.
A High School/Joint motion was made to approve the propane bid from Valley Farmers Supply for the 2026–2027 school year.
The motion passed unanimously.
Middle School Lockers
The Board considered new middle school lockers.
An Elementary motion was made to approve new lockers from MSEC using current year funds and Fund 182 if necessary.
The motion passed unanimously.
School Election Administration
The Board considered election administration for the 2026–2027 school year.
A High School/Joint motion was made to approve Yellowstone County running all school elections for the 2026–2027 school year.
The motion passed unanimously.
Annual Organization of the Board
The Board completed its annual organization process.
The Board Chair turned the meeting over to the Superintendent at 7:11 PM for reorganization.
Josette Barthule, Tenille Bomar, and Taner Sorge were sworn in for three-year terms. The packet states that all three were elected in the May election.
Board Leadership
The following leadership positions were selected:
- Carl Openshaw was unanimously elected Board Chair for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Julie Hinkle was unanimously elected Vice Chair for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Kinsey Szillat was unanimously appointed District Clerk for the 2026–2027 school year.
Board Training
The Board discussed upcoming training.
MTSBA will provide Boardmanship and Confidentiality training.
The training is scheduled for July 15.
The packet notes that this item required no action.
Standing Committee Reports
The packet states that committees were updated to remove outgoing board members and add new board members.
Executive Session
The packet states:
None.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Summary
The June Regular Board Meeting focused on district operations, staffing, student approvals, facility and service-related items, and preparation for the 2026–2027 school year. The Board approved several personnel and operational items, completed annual organizational duties, and reviewed informational updates provided by district administrators.
