Teachers, Trustees To Begin Negotiations
Contract negotiations involving the Wolf Point Education Association and the Wolf Point School board are scheduled to start at the end of this month.
Patricia Toavs, president of the WPEA, asked trustees at the start of the school board meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, if they received her letter of intent regarding the start of negotiations. Board chair Linda A. Hansen answered that a meeting will be set up shortly.
At the end of the board meeting, trustees and Toavs agreed that holding the first negotiations session starting at 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 should work for representatives of both sides.
Also during the board meeting, facilities director Shane Reed explained why the fire alarm went off twice during a recent high school basketball game. After working with different companies, it was determined that there was a communications problem with the phone line. He said the system is more than 20 years old and he’s in the process of getting quotes for a replacement.
Reed reported that the heated sidewalks at the high school are now working well and there will be new diaper changing stations in the multi-purpose room’s restrooms.
He recently organized a “custodial boot camp” that featured 35 participants from various schools. All attendees became pandemic cleaning certified.
Superintendent of Schools Loverty Erickson reported current enrollment is 781 students compared to 770 students a year ago. Staff consists of 149 individuals compared to 139 individuals last year.
Hired were Tiffany Sietsema as elementary teacher, Linda Stitchman as elementary teacher, Linnea Clark as Northside paraprofessional, Brianna Walking Eagle as Little Wolves’ basketball program coach, Caleb Pendleton as volunteer wrestling coach and Tiara Whitmus as parttime paraprofessional.
Resignations included Michelle Eanes as Southside secretary, effective June 3, and Sietsema as Southside SPED paraprofessional.
Activities director Eric Peterson said the Little Wolves’ volleyball program will probably start in February. The flag football program will take place during the spring.
Peterson said the Montana High School Association will hold its annual meeting in Butte. Proposals include having shot clocks for basketball and making baseball a high school sport.
Junior high principal Greg Gourneau said the district- wide spelling bee is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Feb. 1. Wolf Point will host the county spelling bee on Feb. 15 or Feb. 22.
