Governor orders schools closed

The Troy Public Schools Board of Trustees voted March 15 to close the district’s facilities just minutes before Gov. Steve Bullock ordered schools across the state closed in the face of COVID-19.

Signs of concern about the virus began popping up in Lincoln County even before state officials confirmed the initial batch of cases in Montana. Toilet paper, cleaning supplies and bread went on short supply at local grocery stores while canned goods began to dwindle on shelves.

Posters with instructions on how to stop the spread of the virus popped up at local businesses. While a student play went on as planned in Troy on March 13, hand sanitizer was in ready supply.

Meeting in emergency session inside the high school’s library, board members briefly debated whether to keep classes in session while awaiting guidance from Helena. There were funding and scheduling implications if the district closed before getting the say-so from state officials, said Superintendent Jacob Francom.

Most residents and parents in attendance, though, urged the board to immediately shutter the schools. Audience members argued that asbestos-related illnesses in the community made the population particularly susceptible to COVID-19. Although children seem less affected by the illness, they could spread it to relatives and teachers who suffered from immune system deficiencies.

Two members of the school district’s staff already were under quarantine after possible exposure to the coronavirus, officials said earlier in the meeting.

“I think we have to look and see if this is going to be the safest thing for our students, not about financing and not about making [school days] up,” Francom said.

In the end, the board voted to close the district and begin organizing ways to feed and educate students remotely. A high school senior in attendance burst into tears at the news the closure likely would mean the end of the athletic seasons.

“It’s not like we have plans for a fire drill and we know exactly what we’re going to do,” said Vice Chair Janis Fontaine just before the vote. “The only way we’re going to know, it seems, is if we put it into effect and then monitor how we do.”

Much of the discussion centered on how students would continue to learn remotely and the logistics involved in allowing the children to pick up belongings at the district’s schools.

“This is a huge learning curve for all of us. We’re just trying to put the structure together,” Francom said. “This is going to take a huge team effort to do this.”

Officials said that Craig Barringer, superintendent of Libby Public Schools, and Jim Mepham, superintendent of Eureka Public Schools, were waiting to hear Troy’s decision. Both Libby and Eureka had planned to hold classes on Monday.

But minutes later, news broke about Bullock’s decision to shut down schools statewide through March 27. The move continues state funding for local schools and Bullock directed administrators to begin preparing for a potential extended closure.

Local officials also were instructed to continue providing free meals for students who need them. In Libby, parents at some schools were allowed Monday to pick up any of their children’s belongings stored in lockers. In a note to parents posted to social media, Barringer said he expected to have lunches available for students by March 17 and remote schoolwork ready by March 19.

The order to close school from the governor came as part of a larger package of guidelines aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, in Montana.

By The Western News’ print deadline, six adults in the state had tested positive for COVID-19. The cases were located in Missoula, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Silver Bow and Broadwater counties.

“As governor, it is my top priority to protect the health and safety of Montanans, particularly our most vulnerable at a time when we face the potential for extraordinary health risks from coronavirus in our state,” Bullock said in a statement. “Social distancing is one of the most important primary protective measures to flatten the curve of this virus. I cannot underscore the seriousness of following these measures to help our neighbors, friends and families.”

Bullock also recommended residents employ social distancing, limit participation in large gatherings and avoid contact with the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. He asked that employers adopt flexible sick and paid leave policies in the wake of the disruption caused by the illness.

Hilary Matheson of the Daily Inter Lake contributed to this report.