The Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees was named School Board of the Year by the Montana Association of School Superintendents.

Trustees include chairman John Konzen, vice chairman Doug Chapel, Melinda Thompson, Hy Boltz, Andrea Huisentruit, Mark Roesler-Begalke and non-voting student representative Sarah Pierce.

The Lockwood School District Board of Trustees in Billings also received the award, which is given annually to two Montana school boards.

Konzen, who has served on the school board for four or five years, said the result of working as a cohesive team has been high morale throughout the district.

“It’s very rewarding to know that the volunteer work of the board has been appreciated and recognized by its peers in the state of Montana. The board has kept students and education as its priority while trying to maintain and provide the best facilities they can financially,” Konzen said. “We work with a great administration and staff and students along with a very supportive community.”

A highlight of the school board’s accomplishments has been a comprehensive strategic plan for the district. The goal was to create one that was easy to understand and lets “folks know where you want to take them and where they want to go,” Kozen said.

To be considered for the award, a school board had to be nominated by a superintendent in addition to a letter of accomplishments regarding board policy, infrastructure and educational programs.

Troy Superintendent Jacob Francom also noted the board’s involvement in the strategic plan in a letter to the School Administrators of Montana and the Montana Association of School Superintendents. The plan involved a lot of meetings, discussions, surveys, data and involvement from a variety of stakeholders according to Francom.

Programmatically, the board has evaluated a variety of areas such as technology, nutrition and student wellness, intervention programs, family/community engagement and board training.

Francom also outlined the thoroughness with which trustees reviewed policies and handbooks, ensuring they were accessible on the district’s website. The board also was lauded by Francom for its work with city and county legislators and authorities to “establish attendance procedures that encourage students to attend school and stay out of trouble on the streets.”

Facilities and grounds were also board priorities last year, according to Francom who listed the various environment, energy and security improvements such as new playground equipment, a new biomass boiler and new exterior reinforced doors and public address system.

“Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees is a board that works cohesively, professionally and effectively. The students in the community of Troy are well served by the work of our board of trustees. The board has strengthened and shored up the educational foundation of Troy Public Schools that will continue to be built on with the goals and the direction that the district is heading, ” Francom concluded in his letter.

Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.