Copenhaver, Larson Prepare For Duties On Local School Board

Sarah Copenhaver and Cody Larson will be new members on the Wolf Point School Board. Incumbent Michael Turcotte will continue to serve in district 3.

Because the three individuals are the only ones who filed, a school election will not be needed in Wolf Point this year.

Turcotte won election to the District 3 position in 2023. The election was for the final year of the term that Lawrence Hamilton was elected to in 2021. Turcotte will now start a three-year term.

Going off the school board will be Elizabeth DeCoteau Lingle and Dr. Mark Zilkoski. The school board meets the second Monday of each month.

The following is information about the two new trustees.

Copenhaver

Copenhaver will serve as trustee for the at-large position. She answered the following questions.

Why did you decide to run for a trustee position? “It was brought to my attention that there was an open position that no one filed for. I care about the kids in the community and some day my kids will be in the school system. I feel that it is important for parents and the younger generation to be involved in our community. Our children spend a significant amount of their childhoods in school. Schools should be somewhere children feel safe and supported; the best way to make that happen is a collaborative effort between teachers, school administration, parents and community members.”

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve on the school board? “I grew up in our community, graduated from WPHS and moved back to Wolf Point after receiving my bachelors of science degree in nursing from MSU. I am an educated individual that hopes to make our community, and school system, somewhere that people have pride in.”

Why do you feel you are a good candidate to serve on Wolf Point’s school board? “I care about the kids in the community. I think not having my own kids in school currently will allow me to be objective rather than emotional, but knowing that they will go to school here someday means I have some ‘skin in the game’ so to speak.”

What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing the Wolf Point School District? “I think many schools face the same challenges; getting kids to come to school, facilitating good participation while they are there, and finding a balance between meeting kids where they are at but still meeting curriculum requirements.”

In which areas do you feel the school district could improve? “A quick scan of the school website shows how many job openings there are in the district. Understaffing and teacher turnover has a negative impact on both the kids and on the remaining staff. I would love to support increased efforts to recruit and retain qualified teachers.”

What are you the most impressed with regarding the Wolf Point School District? “I think the school district truly does everything they can to help their students be successful, both in school and beyond — dual credit classes, college visits, SAT prep and career fairs for older students, family nights to encourage family involvement for the younger students. I felt it when I was going to school and can see it still — the staff cares about their students and wants to see every one of them thrive.”

Larson

Larson will serve as the trustee for district 4. He answered the following questions. Why did you decide to run for a trustee position? “I decided to run for the school board because I believe a person that is actually in the world of education is vital for the success of all. Being a former employee of the district, I believe, gives me great knowledge on how the school district can move forward in a positive direction. I have always believed when you’re in education you need to do your research and find out what is best for the student first and the adult second.”

Why do you feel you are qualified to serve on the school board? “I feel I am qualified to serve on the school board because I serve on many boards across the state as well. From the American Legion board to the local school conference’s board. These positions I possess I believe have given me knowledge in how to handle a school board setting. Not only that, I have been in the education field for 12 years. Now serving in many roles from teacher, AD, coach and dean of students (in Frazer). These roles I believe have given me the proper tools to help make factual based decisions for the district going forward.”

Why do you feel you are a good candidate to serve on Wolf Point’s school board? “I feel I am a great candidate to serve on a school board because every decision that I have made in my educational career always goes towards the benefit of student. I think by keeping that formula in mind you can never go wrong as a school district.”

What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing the Wolf Point School District? “I feel the biggest challenges facing the school district is the word ‘Potential.’ I feel like we hear that word a lot but never act on it. The Wolf Point School District always has a lot of potential, but decisions need to be made to act on that potential for the betterment of the district, students and staff.”

In which areas do you feel the school district could improve? “I feel the school district could improve on always finding ways in supporting their quality students and staff. The students are why everyone that has anything to do with education is here. Keeping that in mind we need to make sure we are using all of our resources to make sure they are given every chance to succeed. Maintaining quality staff, and using innovative ways to recruit new staff will ensure that teacher and student are getting all that they can from their educational experience.”

What are you the most impressed with regarding the Wolf Point School District? “I have always been impressed by Wolf Point because of the history it has. I do believe for a school district to succeed you need to embrace the history while adapting with the present. This idea I believe will lead to such positive growth and changes for the district.”