School Board Approves Levy Request, Accepts Resignations

The Glasgow School Board met in regular session Wednesday, March 16 at the Central Office. Present were: Luke Breigenzer, student representative, trustees Suzanne Billingsley, Mike Kaiser, Mona Amundson, John Daggett, and Alison Molvig, as well as Glasgow Schools Superintendent Bob Connors.

Breigenzer reported that the student council is looking at replacing at least one of the water fountains in the high school with a dispenser fountain that will allow students to fill their water bottles.

He also informed the audience and trustees that the “President’s Club” has been re-instated at the high school. According to Breigenzer, the President’s Club is comprised of each school clubs’ president and the group meets with GHS principal Shawnda Zahara-Harris on a regular basis to review club activities.

Following Breigenzer’s report, Auguste Salyards was introduced to the panel by Zahara-Harris. Salyards is Glasgow’s first Prostart State Champion, winning for her “Alice In Wonderland” themed cake at the state competition in Bozeman. Salyards described the process she followed to complete her winning entry to the trustees and audience members.

Morgan Guttenberg provided information to those present about her “Snack-Pack” program. The program will benefit food-insecure children by providing non-perishable foods for the children to take home after school and on weekends.

Moving on to new business, the panel of trustees approved accepting the resignations of Jackie Meiers, Ed Sugg, Dan Sebastian, Margaret Boelman, and Norm Braaten. The board also approved contract renewals for Mathew Bacon, Lily Himsl, Amber Llewellyn, Andy Mogan, Sereta Row, and Carla Swenson.

In addition to their approval of hiring Rebecca Bell as a substitute teacher/aide, the board also gave approval of hiring Lauren Kolstad as the assistant drama director at the Middle School.

The hiring of several coaching positions were approved: Terri Johnson and Emilee Poole, volunteer high school track coaches; Grace Burns and Gary Wageman, volunteer middle school track coaches; Rod Karst, head cross country coach, Kyle Bilger, assistant cross country coach; Andrew McKean and Ashley Kemmis, volunteer cross country coaches; Lori Dailey head high school volleyball coach, and Somer Hoerster, assistant high school volleyball coach. Dan Johnson will also continue as a track coach for the high school in a volunteer capacity.

A levy request for $28,886.72 was approved in order to fulfill a budget shortfall to pay mandated insurance costs.

The board approved first and second readings of policy items. On behalf of school staff, Laurie Enebo renewed a question about how staff can be made aware of specific recommended changes to the policies. Currently, staff are aware of which policies are being reviewed, but do not know what changes are being recommended and voted on.

Superintendent Connors explained that although the board is finished reviewing the current policies, in the future, staff will be able to get that information from their direct principals or himself.

During the GEA report, Laurie Enebo presented a request that a needs assessment be completed, as it is a useful communication tool for school staff.

During discussion, Chairperson Molvig commented, “I would just think that the principals would know the needs in their buildings,” while Billingsley voiced a concern that if a needs assessment is completed, but items are not able to be provided, that staff will feel like their requests haven’t been acknowledged.

Before discussion ended, Daggett requested an opportunity to review past assessments, and Amundson expressed that she thinks it at least gives a perspective of what really needs to be done.

During the principals’ reports, Brenner Flaten discussed the completed winter sports season and the upcoming spring season, including participation numbers. Flaten also reminded the panel that they will be looking for a head boys basketball coach and will conduct screening and interviews after applications are received.

Irle School principal, Rachel Erickson reported on several current and upcoming events: Project Lead the Way, I Love to Read Week, Operation Child Find, and the Living Museum.

Mike Zoanni, Middle School principal, reported on the spelling bee held in Opheim, the recent State Math Counts held in Butte, and honor choir held in Malta.

Zahara-Harris completed the principals’ reports with information about an emergency preparedness drill to be held the following day, an upcoming job fair, and an event that will highlight the Prostart program and its contributors.

Other items up for discussion were a self-sustaining community garden project, the newly launched Middle School Facebook page, and an advanced “Medical Detectives” class that will be added next year as a compliment/continuation of the STEM Program.

Superintendent Connors finished the meeting with an enrollment report and a report on some minor building issues.

The school board will convene for a board work session on April 6, with a regular board meeting scheduled for April 20.