Standing up for small schools

MULLAN - Yeah, Robin Stanley is kinda-sorta retired.

The Mullan School District Superintendent took a step in that direction in 2002, when he decided to only work half time at the district for which he's worked since 1985.

The move saves the school district around $50,000 a year in salary and benefits, Stanley estimates.

But as far stepping away, away? Well, Stanley loves his small schools too much.

"Small schools tend to bring out the best in their kids," Stanley said. "I swear by small schools. We give kids opportunities they just don't get in big schools."

Like every child who wants to play a sport, can. Same thing goes for band. And even if the smaller schools to offer as many classes as their bigger counterparts, in Mullan, if it's not in the classroom it can be found online.

"Any course we don't offer we will provide it through the Internet," he said, pointing to courses such as German, Spanish, photography, literature, science, English, and numerous honors-level courses as examples that have been taught online.

With 62 elementary and 44 middle and high school students, Mullan is one of the smallest public schools in the state. And that can provide its share of challenges.

Combined classes, and filling out staffing are a few of those. Grades K-2 have a total of two teachers, and there is one teacher each for grades 3-4 and 5-6.

But "when you've got a staff like I've got, you don't have to be here (all the time)," said the former high school principal.

While Mullan schools are old, they're still well maintained, he said. This includes the Pavilion, which Stanley calls "a jewel," features an Olympic-sized swimming pool that is open to the public, and a court that is used for junior and high school basketball games.

And talk of consolidating tiny Mullan with Wallace has made the rounds over the years.

Stanley's take?

"We're not opposed to Wallace coming up here," he said, matter of factly. "As long as people want their school in their community, we'll be here."

He noted the district is one of three in the state with a permanent tax levy, which is currently around $9 for every $1,000 of assessed value.

The district is heavily dependent on the Lucky Friday Mine, however. Funding for the Pavilion was approved by voters in 1968. Funding wouldn't have been possible without the tax revenue from the Lucky Friday.

The state's property tax funding formula has changed since the Pavilion was built, and the school district couldn't build it today with the current formula, Stanley said. In fact, "Without Lucky Friday, we couldn't even (afford to) run it. You couldn't raise enough money in fees to keep it open.

"We could not ask for a better partner than Hecla," Stanley said, noting the company has contributed numerous times over the years through grants and in-kind contributions. Hecla contributed approximately $6,000 in materials and hauling for a remediation project at the football field, he said. Last summer they gave a $5,000 grant for special school projects.

In fact, some 40 to 42 percent of the schools' property tax funding comes from Lucky Friday.

Fred Manthey, a longtime Mullan resident who was on the Mullan School Board at the time Stanley was hired, had good things to say about Stanley, who grew up in Wallace - a fact that didn't go unnoticed when he was first hired.

"Some didn't like the fact that he wasn't from Mullan," Manthey said. "I think he's worked out pretty darn good ... He's got his heart in the game."

Stanley sits on a couple state education committees, including the Superintendents Finance Committee, which advises the state Legislature on state budget matters. It is lobbying to be kept "whole" if the Legislature decides to do away with the personal property tax this year.

The district faces another funding challenge in the near future. They received $49,521 last year from the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act - which could be the last time they get the funds unless Congress changes its mind and reinstitutes the program, which was previously called the 1908 Compact. It previously used revenue from logging on the national forest to provide education funds. That funding has been thrown into question in the last couple of decades.

"It will be devastating (if it's not renewed)," Stanley said. "We use that money for special projects, textbooks, buses and facility management."

And just because Mullan is small doesn't mean Stanley's mind isn't on bigger problems.

Like school security.

He believes that state law needs to be changed to allow a handful of staff members to carry a weapon, which they currently can't. Stanley wants to consider all options, including allowing staff to carry a Taser. In short, he wants to look at "every possible thing we can do to make our kids and teachers safe."