Wolf Point School Board Hires Three
Cook, Custodial Staff Tender Resignations
By James Walling
The Wolf Point School District board of trustees held their regular public meeting Monday, Feb. 10. Board chair Mark Kurokawa was absent. Vice chair Linda L. Hansen conducted the meeting.
During public comment, Christine Hodgson from Art Works for Wellness addressed the board about her program.
Minutes were approved for the Jan. 13 regular meeting.
Warrant registers and claims against the district were also approved.
Reports were provided by the Indian Education Committee, Southside principal Greg Gourneau, Northside principal Georgie Gourneau, junior high principal John Wetsit, high school principal Kim Hanks, activities director Cody Larson, facilities director Shane Reed and superintendent Loverty Erickson.
Hanks told the board that attendance rates are down. She and other district staff expressed frustration and confusion about the drop. She said two of five out-of-state student trips have been canceled as a result. The average attendance rate at WPHS is 81.23 percent, down from approximately 91 percent in 2019. Wetsit told the board that the second quarter average attendance rate at WPJH is 83.68 percent.
During the personnel section, resignations were accepted from the following members of the custodial staff: Jeff Bledsaw (JH/HS head custodian) and Jeff Lowdog (assistant custodian). Northside cook Tyler Desjarlais and Southside paraprofessional Della Pipestem also handed in their resignations.
Jacy Melbourne and Lori Sande were approved as add-on hires and Anthony Harrison was approved for hire as a SPED paraprofessional and bus driver.
The board approved a purchase order in the amount of $6,640 for a replacement window. An add-on purchase order was also approved for approximately $14,000 to replace a digital server.
A resolution was approved for the disposal of district property. The items under consideration include UpRight XL-24D and XL24DW Ariel platform lifts.
Hanks’ requests for out-of-state
Continued on page 7 travel were approved. The 2020 Wolf People will be traveling to the American Indigenous Business Leaders conference in Alpine, Calif., from April 1-5. Eight students will be traveling to the conference. The 2020 WPHS Swing Choir will be traveling to Seattle, Wash., March 18-22.
The board approved a call for trustee election. Wolf Point Educational Support Staff Association and Wolf Point Education Association union negotiations have been scheduled for Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
