Wolf Point School District Plans Virtual Omaha
Board Approves New Hires, Cleaning Contract
The Wolf Point School board held their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 14.
During the meeting, Superintendent Loverty Erickson discussed plans for a virtual Omaha powwow. Area educator Winona Runs Above is assisting with plans for a social distance celebration during Native American Spirit Week. All students are invited to make a video sharing style of dress and introducing themselves and the dance or dances they will be performing. Videos are limited to two minutes in length. Deadline for video submission is Sept. 22 at noon. A panel of judges will assess the entries and announce winners Sept. 24. Prizes will be awarded. Contact the district office for more information.
Contractors from Sidney and Lewistown presented themselves for inspection by the board. The contractors responded to questions following a request for qualifications for the Delivering Local Assistance grant for repairing and improving the junior high/high school parking Lot.
Montana Youth Academy representatives addressed the board and thanked the district for 20 years in partnership. Erickson thanked Cookie Ragland for her work liaising with the group.
“I’ve always felt you were an asset to those kids,” said Erickson.
Board member Lanette Clark also expressed her thanks to Ragland.
Expenses related to a welcome back meal for district teachers were approved in the amount of approximately $2,200. Minutes were approved for the Aug. 10 regular meeting and Aug. 17 and Sept. 2 special meetings. Student accounts, warrant registers and claims against the district were approved.
During board reports, administrators discussed plans for teaching, fire drills, protocols for sick individuals and other COVID-19 related changes to the status quo.
Northside principal Georgie Gourneau said 35 students have opted out of in-class instruction, with the rest of the student body on plan B in two groups of 62 and 65 students respectively.
Gourneau said the Helping Outstanding Wolves Lead committee kicked the year off with teamwork activities and seed planting.
Junior high principal Greg Gourneau reported an overall student attendance rate of 89.8 percent. He also reported zero referrals, noting that students have been glad to be back in the building.
“They are happy to be around their peers,” said Gourneau.
He said the junior high still needs a seventh-grade science teacher.
High school principal Kim Hanks said that overall attendance was up at 255 students, with 25 students opting for distance learning. She reported a 90 percent attendance rate.
Activities director Cody Larson said participation is solid across all sports. He said coaches and teachers are planing activities on a dayby- day basis.
Facilities director Shane Reed reports five new outdoor tables ready for use by students.
Erickson added that all students should have good internet access. Parents without access should call Nemont for assistance. She said that access and equipment will be provided. Current Nemont customers may not cancel existing service prior to requesting subsidized access.
Vernie Madison was approved for hire as an elementary paraprofessional. Thomas Olson and Barbara Olson will be running Northside School breakfast buddies. Christine Longtree was approved for hire as a substitute kitchen worker and Tressa Welch was hired to coach seventh-grade girls basketball.
Minor changes were approved for Montana School Board Association approved policy amendments related to the pandemic.
O’Connor was awarded a district cleaning contract for 2020-2021 to assist with additional sanitation.
The next regular board meetings are set for Oct. 12 and Nov. 9.
