Darby Community Partners

09/25/2026

https://mtstandard.com/news/local/education/article_5656e871-b83e-54b2-9a65-4ffb198a9f01.html

If the bond were to pass, it would cost a property owner with a home taxable value at $400,000 about $115 per year or about $10 per month.

08/26/2026

Get your bids ready! We have some AMAZING live and silent auction items ready to go for Saturday at Dreamin’ for Darby: A Fundraiser for Darby Schools. Here is just a sampling of some of the items - thank you to the many local businesses who have donated great auction items in support of our schools!

If you are unable to attend but would like to place a proxy bid on any items, please email [email protected]

Unable to attend, but still want to support Darby Schools? Mail your donation to: Darby Community Partners, P.O. Box 128, Darby, MT 59829 OR donate online using this link: https://www.gofundme.com/.../support-the-darby-schools...

08/19/2026

🎉AUCTION PREVIEW🎉

We have some amazing LIVE and silent auction items ready for you to take home at the upcoming Dreamin’ for Darby: A Fundraiser for Darby Schools event on Aug. 29, donated by our amazing community business partners. Here's a sneak peek!

🔷3-day all inclusive backcountry fishing and horseback trip with Steel Creek Outfitters, to Sand Lake Camp out of Wisdom.

🔷Oregon Coast Vacation for 6 nights. Beach house is located 30 second walk from the beach with a great deck to watch the sunset and whales. Includes passes to the Oregon Coast Aquarium

🔷Stock Farm Club - Round of golf for 4 with golf carts

🔷Scenic flight of the Bitterroot Valley for 2 people

🔷Guided fly fishing trip for 2 people on the Bitterroot River

🔷1-night stay at Quinn's Hot Springs Resort

🔷Catered dinner with w**e for 6 at Woods Cabin on Lake Como

Not able to make the event but interested in supporting the auction? Email DCP President, Lauren Rennaker, at [email protected]

08/14/2026

Our goal for this year's Dreamin’ for Darby: A Fundraiser for Darby Schools is to raise $40,000 for the following needs!

⭐️15-passenger van to safely transport students to academic/athletic/extracurricular activities across the State
⭐️ Funds to replace the original stage curtain in the junior high gym
⭐️ Costs associated with dual-enrollment credits and industry recognized credentials for students to earn college credits and career experience while enrolled in Darby High

If you're unable to make the event on August 29 but still want to help us reach our goal, please consider donating today using the GoFundMe link!

Our Darby students, teachers and schools need your help! Help us raise $40… Stephanie Sipe needs your support for Support the Darby Schools Annual Fundraiser!

08/13/2026

We are so excited to introduce our keynote speaker for Dreamin’ for Darby: A Fundraiser for Darby Schools on August 29..

⭐️Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mark Smith, PhD, Darby Schools Alumnus⭐️

Mark Smith is the middle child of Ron (dec.) and Peggy Smith, of Darby. He graduated as a 12-year student of Darby schools, graduating in 1981. His older brother Ron, Jr. (1980) and younger sister, Marie (1983), are also graduates from Darby.

He attended Oregon State on an Army ROTC scholarship and graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science while working for the Forest Service during the summers.

In 1989 he obtained a master’s degree in wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. From 1990-1994 he served his 4-year active-duty commitment in the Army, then returned to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue a PhD.

In 1999 he returned to active duty in the Army, completed his PhD in 2001 in Wildlife Ecology and Zoology and continued on active duty as an air defense officer, traveling over 36 countries, and working in various assignments to include NATO.

He then continued on a 12-year assignment as an Academy Professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, teaching cadets Ecology and Environmental Science. He retired from the Army in 2017 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years on active duty. He now works in the building science field, focused on helping achieve energy efficient buildings.

He is married to Laura Aguirre Smith, where they live in her hometown of El Paso TX during most of the year and in his hometown of Darby during the summer.

We look forward to hearing how Darby School District helped prepare him for what has been an incredibly successful career!

07/29/2026

Save the date! Gather with members of your community for a special evening to support the students, teachers and staff of the Darby School District All proceeds raised will go to Darby Schools.

You’ll enjoy...
🖤Live music & line dancing lessons
❤️Food, beer/w**e/spirits
🖤Short program highlighting fundraising needs
❤️LIVE and silent auctions with great items, including destination vacations!
🖤Rock wall and games for kids, and more!

Unable to attend, but still want to support Darby Schools? Mail your donation to: Darby Community Partners, P.O. Box 128, Darby, MT 59829 OR donate online using this link: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/support-the-darby-schools-annual-fundraiser

Questions? Contact Darby Superintendent, Tony Biesiot at 406-821-3841

09/11/2025

Tomorrow is the big day! We have a ton of fun planned for you for our 4th Annual "Dreamin' for Darby" Fundraiser for Darby Schools. Unable to make it but still want to support Darby students, teachers and schools? Click on the link below to help us reach our goal ❤️🖤

Darby Community Partners (DCP), a non-profit organization, is raising … Stephanie Sipe needs your support for Support Darby Schools & Students - Donate Today!

09/08/2025

We are so excited for Friday! Darby School District

The fourth annual ‘Dreamin’ for Darby’ school fundraiser is this Friday and will feature line dancing, music and a full bar with proceeds going to support the school district.