School To Seek Bids For New Track
By Bill Vander Weele
The Wolf Point School Board approved putting out for bids the project of building a new track at the high school during its meeting on Monday, Feb. 10.
School officials explained the current track is in such poor shape that Wolf Point isn’t hosting any track meets this upcoming spring.
“It’s to the point that if we don’t do this, we won’t have track,” board chair Roxanne Gourneau said.
Athletic director Eric Peterson explained the company that surveyed the current track provided three options. The options included: 1. Take the rubber off the existing asphalt and put improved rubber on the track; 2. Strip everything down, apply fresh asphalt and then rubberized the track; 3. Take asphalt off and have post-tension concrete. That option basically has a guarantee that it won’t crack for 60 years, but it will need to be resurfaced about every eight to 10 years.
Peterson said option 2 would probably be a smarter move than option 1 because it’s not known what shape the current asphalt is in.
Option 2 would cost an estimated $1.2 million while option 3 would cost an estimated $1.5 million.
Trustees felt that option 3 would be the best decision because the price isn’t too much greater than the option 2 proposal.
When asked for his recommendation, Superintendent David Perkins expressed concern with the price tag. “That’s one of the problems, because you are looking at the same pot if you’re building a new school,” Perkins said.
He noted the decision is only to take bids at this point, not to accept a bid for the project.
Tennis coach Dan Horsmon said that usually when the track is done, the company coats and repaints the tennis courts as well. Cost has been about $12,000 to $13,000, and the city has paid half of that charge. Trustees unanimously approved putting option 3 of the track project as well as tennis repairs out for bids.
Earlier in the meeting, trustees approved the upcoming election information which includes four trustee positions on the ballot. There was debate, however, if the election should stay mailin or change back to having polls. “Our mail-in ballots have been terrible,” trustee Michael Turcotte said of participation. He added that having good voting turnout would speak volumes of the community’s interest in the schools.
District office employee Naomi Erickson explained that a challenge of having poll elections is that Wolf Point is one of the few places where separate districts vote for trustees. More judges would be required if poll voting is conducted.
Turcotte feels the added expense would be worth it if it means better turnout. “I see it as an investment in our community and kids.”
School officials said people can still drop off their ballots at the school administration building under the current system. Gourneau said the issue can possibly be discussed in future years.
Trustees voted on a 2-1 margin, with Turcotte voting against, to have a mailin election. Gourneau didn’t cast a vote. “I need to get more information,” she said.
During his superintendent report, Perkins said he has concerns about receiving impact aid construction grants because of cuts proposed by President Trump. “I’m not optimistic right now,” Perkins added. When asked whether paying for a new school without the grant is possible, he said they will cross that bridge when we get there. But he added, “It will be really tough.” Gourneau said the desire and need is there to have a new school building. “It always come down to funds,” she explained.
Hired at the meeting were Karin VonKrenner as a substitute teacher, Enright Bighorn and Marxist Delim as assistant custodians and Marques White Horse as head track coach.
