Hays Looks Forward To Year In Frontier
Keith Hays has been in education for more than 35 years, but he seems enthused about the start of the new school year at Frontier School.
This is Hays’ first year starting as the school’s superintendent/principal. Overall, he is beginning his 37th year in education including 31 in Kentucky. His experience features 25 years as an administrator at the high school level.
“I’ve taught elementary, that’s where I started,” Hays said of his enjoyment of working with younger students.
On the urging of administrators, Hays came to the area more than five years to help serve as an administrator for “one year.”
He laughed, “Now, I’m on year six.” The difference for him this year is serving both as superintendent along with his previous principal duties. He explained some of the biggest changes are having to complete more paperwork and needing to attend more meetings.
When Frontier’s school board asked him to serve as superintendent to end last year and to continue this year, Hays told trustees he will for this year but doesn’t mind them to keep advertising for the position.
“The kids and parents have been great to me,” Hays said of Frontier. “The whole community of Wolf Point has been great.”
He added that he loves going to high school basketball games and school concerts.
“I couldn’t have asked to have been treated any better,” Hays said.
He is excited that Frontier’s enrollment has increased. After ending last school year with 110 students, the anticipation was to have at least 130 when the new school year started on Wednesday, Aug. 21. A total of 16 out-of-district students were approved at last week’s school board meeting.
Frontier’s full teaching staff includes Wolf Point native Lindsay Nefzger, who is teaching first grade. She was a student teacher last year. She is also serving as an assistant volleyball coach in Wolf Point.
Building improvements at the school have included the addition of air conditioning in classrooms. New concrete was poured by the school’s main entrance last week because some of the cement was broken.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Hays said about the start of his latest position, even if he says it’s just for a year, or maybe two, or maybe longer.
