Toni Rehbein's first words as a MCPS Trustee in 2004

Toni Rehbein's first words as a Missoula County Public Schools Trustee -

Toni Rehbein along with Scott Bixler, and Joe Toth, were elected to the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees in May of 2004. 

Some of the first words spoken byToni Rehbein may not seem to be of any consequence. When one is aware of Rehbein's background (president for two years and a parent from the early days of the school) in connection with Missoula International School they are indeed meaningful.

At the May 2004 Board Meeting these newly elected recited their oath of office; Toni Rehbein may have violated this oath.

The following is a transcription of the oath of office of Board members in 2010. It is assumed here that this is the same oath recited by Rehbein, Bixler, and Toth in 2004.

"I do solemnly affirm that I will support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Montana and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity".

As you read the excerpts of the minutes remember to keep in mind that Toni Rehbein was a former president of Missoula Internatinal School.

From the minutes of the May 2004 Board Meeting:

The topic of "Request of Missoula International School to Lease Prescott Elementary School"  is on page 9 of the minutes.  The discussion first centered on whether or not the district needed to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal). Mr. Moyer, the business manager, stated, "...want to give ample time to view the property." The time line for issuing an RFP and bringing it before the Board got shorter and shorter as the discussion progressed. Trustee Toni Rehbein was attempting to rush the RFP process. The minutes state, "Rehbein asked if worthwhile for District to take that time and risk nothing coming forward or take advantage of "bird in the hand."  The minutes show that one Trustee, Carol Bellin wished to slow the process down a bit, "Bellin moved to offer RFP's with return date of three weeks time and two weeks time for consideration by the Board and public input..."  This was too long for newly elected Trustee Rehbein, as the minutes state, "Rehbein offered friendly amendment to suggest process be finished by our next Board meeting. Would be in our best interest to speed the process up." Trustee Bellin proved to be the only one concerned about the short timeline.  Administrators and other Trustees finangled a way so that the decision would be made at the next Board Meeting on June 8th. This required moving a Finance and Operations Committee Meeting up one day, which has rarely if ever been done to accommodate a RFP process. Equally astounding statements regarding the price of the lease were made by other supposedly loyal MCPS Trustees.

Note: msw is in the process of learning how to post scans and other documents on a blogspot blog post so that the minutes of this meeting can be posted.