School District #1: Board Of Trustees Meeting August 9
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
The Townsend School Board had its bimonthly meeting on August 9 at the School and Community Library meeting room. Board chairman Jason Noyes opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Board members Shawn Scott, Todd Olson, Kevin McDonnell and Vanessa Flynn attended. Superintendent Susie Hedelan joined remotely.
Opening of the new elementary school is on schedule, according to the contract representative, Shane Swandall. Teachers are able to set up their rooms but will not be able to occupy the rooms full time. He is still waiting on air handlers which have not arrived.
“The drop-dead day for finishing the sidewalks and getting the fiber optics installed is Aug. 17,” he said. The library will be closed until Aug. 20.
The school bus schedule is mostly finished, according to Superintendent Hedelan. She is working on adding a bus route for special education students.
In other business, the board approved a lease agreement with Missy Cox for her storage building on Front Street. The building has been used to store equipment and supplies during the elementary school building project. The board also accepted the resignations of teacher Aubra Lewis, substitute teacher Sarah Tallwhiteman and custodian Roger Czech. The board accepted several new employees, including Olga McNulty, who will teach K-8 music and choir. Several positions have yet to be filled.
Board members weighed in on changes to the student dress code. The code is outdated and very complicated, according to board member Vanessa Flynn. The board tabled the discussion.
Flynn also broached the subject of whether home-schooled students should be able to attend extracurricular activities. “Home-schooled students are allowed to play high school sports, so why can’t they attend dances and club activities,” she asked. She suggested they should be allowed to attend because such a policy “would be more welcoming." Chairman Noyes indicated he thought the extracurricular activities should be reserved for kids attending public school.
The board approved the COVID 19 protocol for a safe return to school. The policy will be listed on the Townsend Schools website.
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PhotoCredit: Townsend Schools
