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The County Superintendent of School's office is
located on the third floor of the Courthouse. Usual office hours are from
1:00 pm - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Josephine M. Stone, County
Superintendent of Schools
271-4055
The Superintendent's office operates within a set
of legal rules and regulations which affect the entire processes of public
schools. it has access to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) for the
implementation and interpretation of any rules. since each district has
unique and individual issues to address, it is of optimum importance to keep
open the lines of communication among the people involved in the school systems.
Annual Budget Process
Of primary concern to taxpayers, and to the
operation of each school district, is the annual budgeting process. This
office reviews the district levy requirements for each fund that is included in
each district's final budget. in filing the final budgets and reporting
the approved computations to the County Commissioners, the county levies are
usually signed the last Monday in August. The signed budgets are then
processed at the Office of Public Instruction in Helena.
Inclusive in the levy process is the computation
of district needs for elementary and high school transportation, elementary
retirement and high school retirements. This process usually begins in
March and the culmination of this project is with the signing of the
budgets. Each month thereafter, distributions are made to each district
for their portion of the required transportation and retirements funds.
The retirement obligations are compiled by each separate district and forwarded
to this office in calculating the levies.
School Transportation
A county transportation committee meets annually
to approve/amend each of the routes for each school district. Route
changes during the school year must also be approved by this committee.
The committee consists of a representative from each district, a county
commissioner, and the county superintendent who serves as chairperson.
individual pupil transportation contracts are also included in these
calculations. Mileage, days of use, and bus capacity of each route are
essential in determining the funding requests of each district.
Reimbursements consist of matched amounts between the county and the
state. These monthly payments are adjusted and distributed through this
office.
Teacher Certification
Certificates for each year are registered and
monitored by the Superintendent's office.
Bus Driver Certificates
Certificates for each year are registered and
monitored by the Superintendent's Office.
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