School Board Decides on Fate of School Radio at March Meeting
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
School Board Decides on Fate of School Radio at March Meeting
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Public survey results of whether to keep KDGZ 98.3 school radio showed little change from last week’s survey. Responses included 47 persons, 70 percent of whom said they only listen to the games on the radio. Moving the radio to online with only games being broadcast suited 74 percent of the respondents. Even those teachers who had favored keeping the radio for class purposes said the costs outweighed the benefits. Middle school principal Brad Racht said it was a “no-brainer” to move it online because the $9,000 annual cost was hard to justify.
Several teachers had tried to gather enough interest in keeping the radio on air. Four businesses said they would continue supporting the station, but supporters were only able to come up with $3,000 to pay for keeping the station going.
The decision will be made at a public meeting at the March 12 meeting.
Broadwater Education Foundation President Jackie Smith presented the 2023 grant awards in the amount of $10,175. The nonprofit gives grants to teachers in both Spring and Fall. The organization’s annual fundraiser, Trivia Night, is coming up March 14 at the Fairgrounds 4-H Building.
*Baseball activity organizers will meet again in March. Superintendent Susie Hedalen explained the group will be able to fundraise within the community, but those funds won’t cover sustaining the program.
*The board approved the interlocal agreement between the School Library and Broadwater County.
*The Adult Education program is still in limbo. Hedalen said she and new administrator Audrey Martin will try to contact last year’s program leaders.
*Retiring teachers Wendy Graveley and Kim Gilligan were awarded $15,000 retirement incentives.
*Board members approved a resolution calling for the election of trustees. Current board members Vanessa Flynn and Jason Noyes, whose terms expire, must sign up to run again by March 28. Daniel Trusdell, who was appointed to fill an expired term, will also be on the ballot. The annual school board election will be on May 7, 2024. It is run by Broadwater County Elections Officer Angie Paulsen. The school district pays $14,000 to the county to administer the election.
*Paraprofessional Steve Nelson and middle school track coach Allie Lampman have resigned. The resignations were approved.
