Wolf Point Hires Hanks As Coach
The Wolf Point School Board hired Cole Hanks as the high school’s new head boys’ basketball coach during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 12.
Hanks as served as an assistant coach in the program for many years including this past season.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Imogene Lilley expressed her disappointment that her husband, Perry, wasn’t interviewed for the basketball coaching position.
She mentioned her husband’s coaching record which includes undefeated seasons and that he cares deeply for his players. She said she has nothing against Hanks, and that he has been supportive. She did, however, mentioned she thought the school was looking for a change with the basketball program.
Perry Lilley told trustees that he feels social injustices are taking place and is upset that he wasn’t interviewed for the position.
“If you aren’t in these little cliques, you aren’t going to get in,” Perry Lilley said.
He noted that he also applied for coaching positions in the past without receiving an interview.
“I get the bounce around,” Perry Lilley said. “It’s wrong and it has to stop.”
Trustee Keith Higgins made the motion to hire Hanks and the motion was seconded by trustee Bif Loucks. Trustee Roxanne Gourneau voted against the motion.
Leslie Larson, Eileen Poserio, Jerry Worley, Lori Sande and Agboola Aliu were hired as after school tutors at the high school and junior high. Also hired were Marissa Follet as a paraprofessional, Leandra Kwasney as a paraprofessional, Sharon Kolstad as piano accompanist, John Hawk as assistant cook, Tyronne Darnell as assistant cook, Shelica Deserly as assistant cook and Sandra Sather-Westley as Southside long-term substitute and district substitute teacher.
Extra-curricular hires included R.C. Page as head track coach, Dan Horsmon as head tennis coach, Rodney Paulson as head golf coach, Patricia Payne as Lil Wolves girls’ basketball coach, Judy Leddige as Lil Wolves girls’ basketball coach and Traci West as volunteer cheer coach.
Resignations were accepted from Brenda Boysun as Northside secretary, Lance Chase as custodian and Janaeya Sutherland for FPCC Chante’ project.
Trustees approved a recruitment and retention incentive of $3,000 for teachers. ESSER funds will be used for the payments.
Trustees approved purchasing paper from Will’s Office Supply and an office copier lease with Will’s. Gourneau wants the school district to compare prices from other companies. She voted against both motions.
A new student club called Truth Apologetics was approved. Principal Kim Hanks said the students approached her about the club, which will have a focus on discussion of any topic the students find important to them and then they will work to find the objective truth.
During her report, Southside Elementary School Principal Tara Thomas mentioned the need to hire additional paraprofessionals.
Northside Elementary School Principal Georgie Gourneau said art and music offerings are now available to students.
Attendance is at 84 percent at the high school and 88 percent at the junior high school. Hanks mentioned offering incentives to keep attendance at a high level.
“I have to commend all the staff at the junior high and high school,” Hanks said. “We are short staffed in all areas, and they have stepped up to help in any way they can. They are the definition of a team.”
