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Butte Superintendent urges teachers to lead community in economic revitalization

Butte teachers should not only educate the city’s children, but should be leaders in Butte’s economic revitalization, Interim
Superintendent Chuck Uggetti told them Monday.

By Barbara LaBoe of The Montana Standard

“ We’re the second largest employer in Butte, and I’m asking each and everyone of you to stand up and be a leader to get this
town going again,” Uggetti told teachers on their first official day back at work. “ I want us all to be part of the solution, not
the problem. And if there are problems, let’s try and fix them.”

Teachers officially started their year with a welcome back breakfast at Butte High School and a day full of workshops ranging
from Everyday Mathematics for elementary teachers to First Aid/CPR for physical education teachers.
Teachers have been in their classrooms off and on for the past few weeks, but Monday was the official start date, with
students following on Wednesday.

The district had tough times in the past year with a state investigation, the abrupt retirement of Kate Stetzner as superinten
dent and, more recently, discussion of a teachers’ strike. Uggetti said it’s time to move past those problems and focus on kids.

“ I feel the school district has been some what tarnished, and it’s up to each of us to polish it,” he said. “ I think the
community is looking to us for leadership, and I’m asking you to move this town forward. I want to work with you to create a
better Butte ’85 and I will work hard to earn your trust and respect.”

Uggetti also asked teachers to “ aggressively promote” the good things that happen every day in schools but often get
overlooked.
Educators interviewed Monday said they were looking forward to the 2002-03 school year.

“ I’m always excited at the start of school,” Jim O’Neill, principal of Margaret Leary Elementary, told a teacher. “ I love this
time of year.”
“ We’re looking forward to a great year,” added Chris Fisk, a high school social studies teacher. “ And Friday’s only four
days away,” he joked.

“ It should be a real interesting school year,” said Arlene Garvey, a library technician teacher at West and Kennedy
elementary schools and the district’s media center.

“ It’s hard to come back after a fabulous summer, but once school starts the butterflies go away.”
emdash Reporter Barbara LaBoe may be reached via email at barbara.laboe(at)(at)mtstandard.com

http://www.mtstandard.com/newslocal/localnews2.html

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