Should The New School Be Named Irle Or Not?

What is in a name?

We are in a situation where we are looking to order letters for the new elementary school.  I asked the board, “Are we going to change the name of the elementary?"

This first came about when R.L. Irle's family, currently living in Alaska, called to ask for items from the building if we were going to change the name. I was told that in Alaska they name the building and were aware that we were building a new K-5 building, so a possible name change could take place.

At our board work session last recently, I again asked the board for input. We are looking to see if we are going to keep the IRLE ELEMENTARY name or possibly WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY would be more fitting.

We have a quick turn around time on this. What are your thoughts? Please comment.

Last night we also discussed the Strategic Plan. This document was created in 2012 and still holds a lot of value.

(You can find it online at: http://www.glasgow.k12.mt.us --> Navagation --> School Board Information --> School Board Strategic Plan.)

We will be updating the one- to two-year goals based upon discussions from last night. It was a great discussion and we would also welcome your comments.

We also had a discussion on our drug testing policy. We will be randomly testing 60 students in activities/athletics over this school year. This is 25 percent of the total high school student population. Our policy only allows the district to test students that are in activities or athletics, not the general student population.

Our Vice-Principal/Activities Director Brenner Flaten informed the board of his survey of the schools in the Northern B Division, only Plentywood, Choteau and Conrad currently do not have programs in place, nor are they planning to implement them this school year.

Glasgow schools Superintendent Bob Connors recently wrote this piece on his "Superintendent's Blog."