School Board Approves Reading Of Policy Change
The Wolf Point School board unanimously approved the first reading of a policy change during its meeting held on Monday, Oct. 9.
The proposed change is adding the use of metal-detecting wands or scanners, vape sensors and alcohol testers to the school district’s searches and seizure policy.
Superintendent David Perkins explained that wands are nice tools because when there’s a mass problem, it’s not practical to go through every locker. Wands can be utilized to scan backpacks.
“It will solve some of the problems that we have,” Perkins said.
During the meeting, trustees discussed two bids received for the purchase of an activity bus. The bids included $340,000 for a 2017 bus and $265,000 for a 2015 bus. There is only a difference of about 4,000 miles between the two buses.
Trustees approved the authorization of purchasing the 2015 vehicle pending an inspection of the bus.
After a closed meeting with a student and parents, trustees agreed to the recommendation that the students finish up a 10-day suspension and then return to school.
Individuals hired included Kathryn Holland for IT systems support, Dezi Adams and Andrea Baker for Northside PAX partners and Dorian Talks Different for Southside PAX partner. Extra-curricular hires were David Allen for bus driver and volunteer track coach, Jody Richards for assistant speech and drama coach, Zirahuen Hernandez for junior high girls’ basketball coach and Jenice Oleyte for junior high girls’ basketball coach.
Trustees received reports from each of the school’s principals.
Northside School principal Georgie Gourneau told trustees that early intervention screening will be completed by the end of the week. Special education teachers/paras, administration and counselors were trained on crisis prevention. Teachers have worked on math curriculum. Fourth-grade students are participating in a marine biology project.
Junior high principal Dan Horsmon noted that parents/teachers conferences are scheduled for Nov. 6. Horsmon said test results show a good growth in math and reading for students. Red Ribbon Week is planned for Oct. 23-27. Presentations will included a speaker to talk about the impacts of vaping.
High school principal Kim Hanks said Native American Week and homecoming week went very well. She noted that the home economics students supplied many cakes for the school district’s pow-wow.
Activities director Eric Peterson said the speech and drama program has a turnout of 24 students.
Board chair Roxanne Gourneau expressed her feeling of not charging for activity tickets for all students. She also mentioned family rates for tickets at games.
“It’s something we can discuss,” Peterson said.
Perkins mentioned that JOM has committed to paying for activity tickets for JOM-eligible students. He feels trustees should discuss not having any student paying for activity tickets.
