School Board Meeting, May 9, 2023
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
School Board Meeting, May 9, 2023 Nancy Marks, Reporter School Board Hears Teachers’ and Administration Staffs’ School Term Reports
District #1 school board changes and staff reports culminated the end-of-year term at the May 9 meeting. Two board members ended their terms and member Shaun Scott resigned. (See related story.) Kevin McDonnell a 5-term member did not win reelection. Todd Olson, a 14-year member, did not run for another term.
Middle School Principal Brad Racht praised Terey Artz for her work reenergizing the Old Baldy Adult Education Program. In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, he thanked all the teachers for their work throughout the year. Among those was fifth-grade teacher, Kim Gilligan, who praised the Teacher Residency program and Katie Goodman, the first resident teacher. “The full-year student teaching program goes a long way in encouraging new ideas with one-on-one teaching in the classroom. A 12-week student teaching term makes little impact neither on the person nor does it encourage recruitment or retention for the school,” she said.
After the new members were signed in, new officers elected were Jason Noyes, chairman; Vice Chairman Chase Ragen and Kayce Williams, District Clerk. The board approved assignments for committee positions. Montana High School Association (MHSA) dues and insurance premiums of $4,752 were approved. The contract for solar panels was approved. Part of the school will need reroofing before solar panels are installed. Hail damage insurance payments from 2019 will pay for the project.
A second reading of Policy 3510 edits was approved as requested by the board regarding extra-curricular activities and school social events. “We needed to define what activities are MHSA governed such as music, choir, theater, speech and drama; what events involved clubs such as student council and National Honor Society; and what are social events such as dances,” board member Vanessa Flynn explained.
Seventeen people will lead a myriad of summer camps, including some school staff who will be paid a stipend to work at the camps. Counselor Molly Hanson will lead the special education camps. There are six elementary special education students this year. Pending background checks, the board approved payment for the positions. According to Elementary School Principal Christine Hartmann, scholarships may be available to pay for Broadwater High School students to work at the summer camps as well, funded by a pending 21st Century grant.
Football coach, track and field coach and teacher Travis Rau resigned, as did K-8 Counselor Madison Floding and Paraprofessional Nicole Sandidge. Both Noyes and High School Principal Sheri Heavrin praised Coach Rau for his leadership and dedication of 24 years to the teams and students. The resignations were accepted.
The last day of school is May 26, high school graduation is May 21st and eighth-grade awards ceremony is at 7 pm May 23. All mandated testing is completed. High School Principal Heavrin praised band and choir leader Harlon Conroy and elementary music teacher Olga McNulty for their work with the music students in their Spring concerts. The high school choir received an Excellent rating at State Festival and the Band received a Superior rating. Ag Day in the Schools will be May 25 at the Fairgrounds. Heavrin also reported the school has been awarded a Comprehensive Rural School grant but did not know yet the amount rewarded.
