PRIEST RIVER — A West Bonner County School Board meeting is set for Monday with a variety of action items included on the agenda, including continued discussion on changing the junior high school's mascot and hiring a new Priest River Lamanna Jr./Sr. High School principal.

Also on the agenda is self-reporting of an Open Meeting Law violation that requires correct identification of action items on the June 25 meeting agenda.

The meeting is set to start at 5:30 p.m. at the West Bonner County School District central office, 134 Main St.

The violation appears to be connected to a lack of identification of action items on the June 25 board agenda, which included both discussion of the mascot name change and the hiring of Vanessa Haggett as the new principal.

Haggett would replace Matt George in the position. The longtime educator was unanimously approved to lead the junior/senior high school at the June 25 meeting after her recommendation to the post by Superintendent Kim Spacek.

Haggett  most recently has worked as principal of the Eagle Cap Innovative High School and Baker Virtual Academy in Baker City, Ore. She brings 18 years of experience as an educator, having taught a variety of levels from fourth through 12th grade in a wide range of subjects, from science and yearbook to physical education and culinary arts, according to WBCSD officials.

Among the items that impressed the hiring committee was Haggett's transformation of a struggling alternative high school into a thriving "educational choice" with a waiting list. Haggett was able to increase course offerings, improve attendance and graduation rates and introduce Sources of Strength, a program that supports student mental health by building on existing strengths like positive relationships and healthy habits.

"Vanessa is deeply committed to fostering inclusive and respectful learning environments, and she has a strong track record of working with local community partners to celebrate student success and support families," Spacek said. "We are excited to have her join us and look forward to the leadership and innovation she will bring."

The school district began looking at changing the name of the junior high school mascot last month to allow all middle and high school students — now housed under the same roof — to be represented by the same mascot. Currently, the students attend classes in the same building but are represented by different mascots — the Warriors and the Spartans. The proposed change presented to the West Bonner County School Board would allow all Priest River students to be housed under the Spartan name, creating a sense of unity in the district, supporters said.  

According to a survey conducted by junior high students, 60% of surveyors support the name change, while 40% oppose it.  

The board is also slated to discusses the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, proposed medical and dental plans, meal and milk prices, a proposed food program task force and a resolution for disposal of surplus property.