Arlee School District’s new Superintendent Kendal Baldwin explained that there are lots of things to be scared of as she takes on her first year in administration, but as students enter the classroom this school year, she’s most excited about how involved the community is in the district.

“The community’s really been involved in wanting Arlee to go back to what it was,” Baldwin said. “That’s what I’ve heard more than anything, is how much the community wants to see the school do well.” 

While Baldwin said it can be hard to welcome a stranger, her first week of school at Arlee has been full of giving and love, especially when all the elementary students sang her happy birthday at lunch. 

“It about made me cry. It was so awesome, I probably got 800 hugs,” she said, recalling the birthday cheers elementary students gave her. 

Outside the classroom, she’s also really enjoyed getting to know community members. She added that during one of their Pupil-Instruction-Related days, community members donated lunch for the staff. 

“That is such a special thing in a small town. There’s so much support from the community for our kids,” Baldwin said. 

Baldwin said the best part of school starting has been finally having kids on campus and seeing all the staff with them. 

“I love seeing the energy from staff as I walk down the hall,” she said. 

Baldwin noted that at Arlee, they are focused on a strong foundation, with 94% of staff trained in the science of reading. This reflects a shift across schools in the United States, as reading instruction returns to systematic phonics. 

According to previous Leader reporting, Arlee received a competitive $1.2 million Montana Science Reading grant that helped fund teacher training in this teaching method. Baldwin said this training requires extra hours outside the school day for teachers to complete, and she noted it’s pretty admirable that teachers are taking on extra hours to teach reading more effectively for students' benefit. 

Baldwin said that a strong foundational understanding at an early age helps students throughout their education, and at Arlee, they are already seeing literacy improve since returning to phonics. 

Arlee is also focused on classes that offer students future career skills or provide dual credit. She noted that students can take a welding course through Montana State University Northern, which has allowed them to earn a welding certificate before graduating from high school. Students can also earn dual credit in Writ 101 with Flathead Valley Community College, and dual credit is offered this year through AP Calculus as well. 

This year, Arlee added Fire Ecology because students have shown strong interest in learning more about wildfires. Baldwin said students are really excited for this class, and she believes it's great that teachers are finding unique ways to pique students' interest. 

“I wish I had some of these teachers in high school,” Baldwin said. “It’s not just learning in a classroom; it’s learning outside and experiencing all the things. I just love seeing teachers taking advantage of it.” 

High school students are also working on a student-led community project designed to keep the community informed, involved and connected with school happenings. She’s excited to support this effort and said the students plan to interview students, capture scenes at sporting events and speak with coaches. 

For Arlee, there are no major changes. Baldwin said they have added a sixth-grade teacher this year and some paraprofessionals to fill some gaps. While Arlee has had a tighter budget due to decreased enrollment, Baldwin said every decision they make is based on what is best for the students. 

Currently, enrollment is down across the district, with only 340 students enrolled. Despite decreased enrollment, Baldwin said the school has strong sports participation. 

Baldwin said that as part of her new position, she’s been really enjoying being on the playground with elementary students after 21 years in middle and high school classrooms. She expressed that she feels like a kid again, helping elementary students get across the monkey bars and being around their excitement. 

“It has been just a joy. I learned all about a praying mantis yesterday,” she said. “It’s been so much fun.”