School Administrators of Montana

SAM Update 10-10-25

Dear SAM Members,

Time to review, reflect and renew?  It seems like the October PIR days sneak up on us each year.  I know that this is the first time than many have had a chance to take a breath since school started in August.  If you are attending MCEL, I look forward to reconnecting with you.  No matter what you are doing next week, don't forget to take some time for yourself to relax and renew.

We have created another way to digest the valuable information in our SAM update - The SAM Weekly Podcast.  Crunched for time?  Too many emails?  Looking for something to listen to on your drive home from work?  Check out the SAM Podcast on youtube!

October 9 Webinar Followup: 

School-Based Behavioral Health & the MT Early Identification System

The University of Montana Center for Children, Families, and Workforce Development demonstrated the Early Intervention System (EIS). SAM staff reviewed the results of the School-Based Behavioral Health survey from the fall of 2024 and how the results have informed stakeholders over the past year.   The next SAM Webinar is scheduled for November 13 @ 10:00 when we will be reviewing the STARS Act, Future Ready Incentive.  
Play  

Webinar Resources:

Evaluation and Renewal Unit Certificate:  Do you want to receive an OPI Renewal Unit Certificate for your participation in the webinar?  Did you miss the live webinar but want to earn renewal unit credits for watching the video?  Follow this link and submit the short evaluation. Your certificate will be generated and emailed to you upon completion of the evaluation form:  10-9-25 SAM Webinar Evaluation

Recordings and resources for all SAM webinars are housed in the SAM Online Learning Center and accessible to all SAM members.  Once logged in to the SAM website, you will be in the Members Only area.  To locate the webinar resources, click on Resources >Online Learning > Courses >2025-26 SAM Monthly Webinars.  We will continue to add resources as webinars are completed.  Experiencing difficulties?  Contact Kim at the SAM Office (samks@sammt.org)

Last Chance to Register:  Ron Clark to Present at MCEL 2025 in Helena

We’re excited to share that MCEL will be held in Helena this year for the first time in many years, with events hosted at the Great Northern Hotel and the MTSBA Building. The conference will kick off Thursday morning at the Great Northern Hotel with a dynamic keynote from Ron Clark.

Attendees can look forward to a wide variety of breakout sessions, covering topics from hiring J-1 teachers to building partnerships for early literacy. Special sessions will also dive into key issues around school funding, including a detailed review of the CAMPS proposed funding formula changes on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 15) and an opportunity to share direct feedback with the School Funding Interim Commission during a focused general session on Friday morning (Oct. 17).

All SAM members are invited to attend the Annual SAM Business Meeting on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8:00 AM.
Register today at MCEL.org

Opportunities from Education Partners
  • Equip Your Team to Recognize and Prevent Sexual Abuse in Schools 

    Creating safe learning environments requires more than policies, it takes practical skills, vigilance, and confidence. Join Praesidium and Marsh McLennan Agency for a specialized four-part virtual training series designed to equip Montana school leaders with practical skills to protect students and foster a culture of safety. (Note - Your school does not need to be a member of Marsh McLennan to access this important training. It is free to any Montana school.)

    Across four one-hour sessions, you’ll learn how to:

    Recognize and stop grooming behaviors

    Go beyond background checks with effective screening practices

    Respond appropriately to red flags, policy violations, and abuse concerns

    Manage high-risk activities and prevent problematic sexual behaviors between youth

    Each session delivers real-world strategies, scenarios, and actionable steps to help you reduce risk, protect students, and strengthen your school’s culture of accountability and care.

    The first session begins Tuesday, October 21st at 11:00 AM MT, don’t miss out!

    Register here for October 21st Session   |   Register here for November 18th Session
  • New Resources Available for Albuterol in Schools 

    A Montana law, passed during the 2025 legislative session, allows K–12 schools to stock and administer albuterol—a fast-acting medication used to treat asthma attacks and other respiratory distress. This change allows trained school staff to respond quickly in emergencies, even for students without a prior asthma diagnosis.  The law also provides liability protections for schools and staff who act in good faith and follow established protocols. Read the full details and guidance here:  Stock Albuterol Information and Guidance

    Two new resources:  Stock Albuterol in Montana Schools Guide and the reporting platforms have been established.  Both can be found here:  

    https://dphhs.mt.gov/schoolhealth/chronichealth/asthma

    For assistance, contact BJ Biskupiak, Asthma Control Program Manager, at WBiskupiak@mt.gov
  • Submit the Career-Connected Learning Survey for a Chance to Win a $50 Gift Card

    Dates: The survey is open now through the end of November.

    Who should take it: YOU. We want input from K-12 educators at all levels & roles.

How long: It should take no more than 5 minutes. 
What we will do with your data: The information we gather informs the work of the Work-based Learning Collaborative (WBLC), partners, programs, and policymakers. We publish the data on the WBLC Data Dashboard (wblmt.org) for anyone to see and use.
What you get out of it: You are entered to win a $50 gift card! (4 names will be drawn 11/30/2025)

How: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z2M9VKG

Questions? Contact Ian Beagles, ibeagles@reachhighermontana.org. Thank you!