When Interim Superintendent Jim Baldwin started at Charlo School District last year, many “naysayers” questioned Charlo’s survival and predicted a continued enrollment decline, but Baldwin said they’re really excited for this year and maintaining steady enrollment. 

“The whole atmosphere around the school seems positive, and we’re going strong,” Baldwin said. 

Enrollment at Charlo is 64 in the high and middle schools and 102 in the elementary school. Baldwin said they combined fifth- and sixth-grade classes along with kindergarten and first-grade classes during the afternoon periods because of smaller class sizes. 

When asked whether they have a set plan to increase enrollment, Baldwin said they are not going to change their standards just to increase numbers. But they welcome any student who is a good citizen because creating good citizens is Charlo’s priority. 

In Montana, students can transfer to any public school out of district as long as the school board approves that the student can attend the district, which is most commonly determined by the school's classroom space. Baldwin noted that some students who transferred to St. Ignatius the prior year have returned to Charlo, which means “we must be doing something right,” he said. 

This year Charlo’s new staff includes a social studies teacher, a part-time school counselor, a part-time first-grade teacher and three paraprofessionals. While they have enough bus drivers for the school's regular transportation needs, Baldwin said they are still seeking a driver for sports and other events. 

The district has no infrastructure changes planned for its buildings. However, Baldwin said the only upcoming change will be upgrading the dirt track to a standard rubberized track, funded by an outside community board called the Charlo Community Outdoor Complex Board. 

Those fundraising efforts have been ongoing over a decade, and the Complex Board has the funds to proceed. Baldwin said they will be seeking a project engineer, and the project should be out to bid in the near future. 

Baldwin explained that the school board’s priority has been for him to find grants for Charlo School District to help provide additional funding. He said they applied this year for a $500,000 U.S. Department of Justice COPS Office grant to advance school security. 

He is also working on another grant, which they hope will help pay off the HVAC system purchased several years ago. 

When asked if the board is seeking a permanent superintendent, Baldwin explained that he is taking the interim position one year at a time, and he told the board he supports whatever they want to do. 

He further explained that there is currently a lack of administrative staff, as the entire state faces high turnover and recruitment challenges for superintendents, which has led to board discussions about different administrative structures. 

Baldwin explained that the Charlo community continues to support one another, and the board has worked hard to keep the school running. After more than 35 years in administration at various schools, he calls it a special place and hopes to keep it moving forward.