Plains School Board Hires Consultant to Assist with Admin Restructuring

Board selects Kaleva Law to guide hiring of new superintendent and reorganization of administration office

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Plains School Board has selected Kaleva Law, a Missoula-based education and employment law firm, to serve as a consultant in hiring a new superintendent and restructuring the school's administration. The decision came after the current superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Walsh, announced she would not be seeking another contract. The board is considering reducing the administrative leadership to a superintendent and one full-time principal, with a half-time principal handling additional duties. Kaleva Law was chosen over the Montana School Boards Association, with the board citing the need for legal guidance on the reorganization process.

Why it matters

The Plains School District is facing declining student enrollment, prompting the board to explore ways to streamline its administrative structure and reduce costs. The decision to hire a consultant reflects the board's desire to navigate the reorganization process legally and respectfully, ensuring a smooth transition for all involved.

The details

The Plains School Board held a special meeting on Friday evening to select either Kaleva Law or the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) to assist with the hiring of a new superintendent and the restructuring of the administration office. The board unanimously voted to hire Kaleva Law for $5,000, citing the need for legal guidance on the reorganization process. The board is considering moving to a structure with a superintendent and one full-time principal, along with a half-time principal handling additional duties, which could save the district around $40,000 annually.

  • The special board meeting was held on Friday, February 12, 2026.
  • The current superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Walsh, will not be seeking another contract and will be leaving at the end of the current school year.

The players

Colleen McCarthy

A member of the Plains School Board who motioned to hire Kaleva Law as the consultant, citing the need for legal guidance on the reorganization process.

Robert Cutlip

A member of the Plains School Board who seconded the motion to hire Kaleva Law.

Lana Dicken

The chair of the Plains School Board, who stated that the goal of the workshops is to get input from the community on the budget and reorganization.

Bea Kaleva

The founder of Kaleva Law, a Missoula-based education and employment law firm that was hired by the Plains School Board to assist with the hiring of a new superintendent and the reorganization of the administration office.

Kathleen Walsh

The current superintendent of the Plains School District, who has announced that she will not be seeking another contract and will be leaving at the end of the current school year.

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What they’re saying

“I've been pretty outspoken on my concerns about spending money on consultants, but in this situation I think we absolutely have to because I think we need some legal guidance because we are talking about reordering our administration office and we need to do that legally, respectfully, fairly, timely, so that people involved know what their options are and $5,000 is a pretty reasonable bid and I am supportive of getting some legal guidance for this issue. I feel uncomfortable about going forward without it.”

— Colleen McCarthy, Plains School Board member (Sanders County Ledger)

“We think that because some of that is very important to people's livelihood, the job that they have, and we're going to be making some changes to the administration on a pretty big level, we would like to make sure we do that as quickly as possible, as legal as possible, and efficiently as possible, so everyone gets their answers pretty quick as far as making those transitions.”

— Lana Dicken, Chair, Plains School Board (Sanders County Ledger)

“She's not dictating anything to us. We make the decisions, but she's willing to provide the template of what it is that we're looking for and explain to us and guide on how to get there and that's really what it is. This board is in total control of what's going to happen and that's the way it's going to be.”

— Robert Cutlip, Plains School Board member (Sanders County Ledger)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.