Poplar School District Talks Transportation Needs, Roof Repairs

The Poplar School District board held their regular meeting Monday, March 8. Athletic director Coy Weeks said Poplar recently had one student take first place at the Montana Girls Wrestling Tournament. The Poplar boys wrestling team took seven wrestlers to the state tournament.

Poplar Schools recently held a district basketball tournament and Weeks told the board he received good feedback and people were pleased. Positions remain open for middle school football coaches. The state music festival has been canceled.

Transportation director Greg Norgaard presented the mileage for the school vehicles and discussed the need for another 15-passenger van. He said the van would help when there is no bus driver available to take the students to different sporting events. Norgaard said the 15-passenger van will cost approximately $58,500. Facilities director Mike Gorder said they are addressing the high school roof, getting to it a few sections at a time. Gorder said he is still looking to hire more janitors and one longtime employee recently retired from the school. The middle school gym floor is scheduled to be repainted when this school year is over.

High school principal Bosh Gourneau said prom is scheduled to take place April 10 and the high school graduation is scheduled for May 23.

Superintendent Dan Schmidt said there is interest for the elementary principal and high school vice principal positions.

Contracts were approved for the tenured certified staff teachers.

Estimated permissive levy increases were approved for 2022. The superintendent discussed the topic and he said that they don’t anticipate any increases in the levy for the district. The next work session will be on March 29 at 6:30 p.m. A special board meeting will also be held at this time to discuss the non-tenured teaching staff. The next regular school board meeting will be held April 12.