Erickson Returns, School Board Hires 53

Activities Director Candidates Tabled

The Wolf Point School District held its regular monthly meeting Monday, June 14.

Following the salute and public comment period, board member Lawrence Hamilton Jr. attempted to make a motion to introduce a new agenda item. Board chair Linda L. Hansen explained that at least 48-hours notice must be observed for additions to the agenda.

Hamilton then made a motion to appeal Hansen’s position. Trustee Corey Reum seconded, but the board did not recognize the motion, with Hansen reiterating the requirements of open meeting law.

Superintendent Loverty Erickson consulted with a representative of the Montana School Board Association via phone and reiterated the board’s position.

Hamilton retracted his motion.

Minutes were approved for the May 10 regular meeting and a May 24 special meeting. Warrant registers and claims against the district were also approved.

Northside principal Georgie Gourneau provided a monthly report. She said Dezi Adams and Beth Olson were named teachers of the year.

Southside principal Greg Gourneau also gave his report. He said summer school has started. There are 28 seventh graders currently enrolled and 20 eighth graders.

Facilities director Shane Reed stated that recent weather will not impact completion for construction and remodeling projects in the district.

Erickson reported that she’s back at work following maternity leave. She detailed strategic planning and data analysis related to semi-regular evaluations of district administrators.

She said Michael Turcotte was asked to smudge district buildings at the conclusion of the year. Pastor Tony Sifuentes asked whether he might be able to pray over the buildings as well. Erickson said it was a potential violation of the separation of church and state but the board agreed to look into the possibility of a visit from the pastor now that classes have concluded.

Reum interjected during the superintendent’s report to address several teachers in the audience. He expressed interest in visiting classrooms and said he didn’t want to impose or interfere with instruction. Several teachers said they hoped that all board members would take the time to visit.

During the personnel portion of the meeting, members of the audience raised concerns about potential problems with chain of command regarding the open activities director position and the role of girls’ basketball coach. Following discussion, Hansen nominated Frank Benson for the AD position. Benson was also hired May 24 to teach physical education and coach girls’ basketball, following the recommendation of a hiring committee.

Reum then nominated Eric Peterson, a teacher in the district, for the AD position. Hansen moved to table the issue until candidates could be further evaluated and chain of command conflicts addressed. The board will revisit the issue at a June 24 special meeting.

The following classified staff were renewed for 202122: Crystal Benton, Jeff Bledsaw, Brenda Boysun, Shawn Boysun, Jason Brock, Ken Clampitt, Arden DeWitt, Diane DeWitt, Michelle Eanes, Scott Edmundson, Naomi Erickson, Emar Eymard, Angela Figueroa, Darlene Hanks, LaRae Hanks, Anthony Harrison, Kory Hines, Nancy Hopson, Rick Keller, Ann Landsrud, James Macdonald, Sonia Martell-Hawk, Melissa Medicine Stone, Antonio Nation, Beth Olsen, Terra Pronto, Shane Reed, Vivian Schultz, Ellen Sievers, Leanne Smith, Maverick Smith, Travis St. Germaine, Carrie Talks Different, Arthur Tapaha, Cheryl Taylor, Shirley Vandall, Carol Wallette and Taunya Wasser.

Other hires were Sarah Larkin (Southsidesummerschool), Shelby Jo Martell, Andrew Sen Pin Vun (school psychologist, academic interventionist), Marianne Zilkoski Rees (assistant girls’ basketball coach), John Plestina (crosswalk monitor, bus monitor, substitute teacher), Riggins Smith (summer custodian), Arthur Tapaha (summer custodian), Ronnel and Andrew Tumonong (summer custodian), Tracel Adams (summer worker), Tia Nygard (summer worker) and Sarah Williamson (summer worker).

An independent contractor agreement with occupational therapist Nancy Braaten was approved, as was student accident and catastrophic insurance, property and liability insurance renewals for 2021-22.

The board approved Erickson to serve as authorized representative for all local state and federal projects for 2021-22. She was also approved to serve as the Title IX representative for the district.

Year end finances and a resolution for the disposal of district property were approved.

The board ratified the pending WPESSA contract, as well as two memoranda of understanding with that organization.

Recruitment and retention incentives were approved, with qualified administrators to receive $1,000 after the completion of a full year and $3,000 for non-union classified staff. Substitute teacher pay was increased to $120 per day.

The issue of summer custodian pay was tabled for further discussion.

A special meeting was set for June 24.