Board Hears About Flag Football, Coaching
Flag football, basketball coaching and security were among the topics during parts of the Wolf Point School Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 12.
Trustees considered approving school officials apply for a grant to start a girls’ flag football club at Wolf Point High School.
High school principal Kim Hanks said the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL has made presentations during the past couple Montana High School Association’s annual meetings about bringing girls’ flag football to Montana.
Hanks said that if Wolf Point is approved for the grant, the Falcons would pay 100 percent of the costs the first year, 75 percent for the second year and 50 percent for the third year. Nike will provide the girls’ uniforms.
“We’re just asking if we can apply for the grant,” Hanks said. She added that some other area schools appear interested in the program as well.
Hanks doesn’t feel having a flag football club would hurt the volleyball program because it’s only a club and won’t have as strict of a practice schedule and isn’t a sanctioned sport by MHSA.
Superintendent David Perkins said that the school district might need to add a boys’ sport because of Title IX regulations. Dan Horsmon said interest has been expressed from boys who wish to play tennis.
Trustee Mark Zilkoski made the motion for school officials to apply for the grant. The motion passed by a 4-0 margin.
During public comment, Perry Lilley told trustees that he will apply for both the boys’ and girls’ basketball head coaching positions. Lilley noted that when he has applied for coaching positions in the past that he wasn’t even given the chance to be interviewed. He said one time he was offered an interview after another individual already had been given the job.
In another public comment, Holly Hamilton expressed concern about security at the high school during activities. She said two alleged assaults have taken place on visiting teams.
“You are at a school activity, you should feel safe,” Hamilton said.
During reports by school principals, junior high principal Dan Horsmon stressed the need for more substitute teachers. He said some teachers are having to watch three classrooms at a time because of the shortage. “The teachers are doing it, but we’re burning them out,” Horsmon said. He suggested that the school board considers increasing the pay for substitutes.
Superintendent David Perkins noted it’s important for trustees to tour schools in order to make a priority list of which building improvements need to take place.
