Culbertson School Board Approves Hires
The Culbertson School District Board of Trustees met in regular session on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. Trustees present were Ian Walker, chair; Wendy Becker, Amber Fox, Chris Petersen and Lisa Steppler. Representatives were Nicole Simonsen, Mike Olson, Janessa Parenteau, Dave Solem and Lora Finnicum. Visitors were recognized.
Reports were presented. Five students qualified for the National BPA Conference in Orlando, Fla., in May. Junior High Academic Olympic teams placed first in oral competition and second in written, with five students receiving divisional ribbons.
Tessa Larsen was approved as guest teacher, pending a background check. Recommendations for 2025-2026 classified contracts were presented. Chair removed custodial/kitchen contract from the list of offers/descriptions.
Paraprofessional contracts were approved for Jenna Bowker, Chelsie Flinn, Terri Sansaver, Kelly Vaught and Alicia Wilbanks. The JOM/ Home to School Coordinator/Title I contract was approved for Samantha Purvis. Custodial contracts were approved for Cristina Annett, Mary Hauso and Jennifer Struna. Kitchen contracts were approved for Ryan Acson and Heidi Danielson.
A maintenance contract was approved for Andy Ellerkamp. Office aide was approved for Taleasha De-Priest and the assistant clerk/activities secretary/custodial supervisor contract went to Kaylynn Raaum.
Recommendations from the athletic committee were approved to allow eighth graders to participate in golf, to not support dual season participation and to approve handbook language regarding extra-curricular coach hiring.
Elementary Principal Parenteau gave an update on the math curriculum review. Most resources are now digital and hardback books a thing of the past. Fact fluency has been missing. Everyday Math for K-5, Glencoe Math for 6-8 and Glencoe Math for 9-12 came in over $52,000. The report working with the representative to decrease costs. Fox made the motion to table math curriculum purchases. Steppler seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Recommendations for 2025-2026 extra-curricular contracts were approved, including Tiffany Nielsen for cheer coach, Jeri Gustafson for head high school speech and drama coach (with Patrick Kjelshus for assistant high school speech and drama coach), David Anderson as head junior high girls’ basketball coach (with Shelby Lebsock as assistant junior high girls’ basketball coach) and Jenna Bowker as head elementary girls’ basketball coach (with Ashley Anderson as assistant elementary girls’ basketball coach).
Milt Apple was approved for hire as head high school boys’ basketball coach, as was Jimie Lou Morris as assistant junior high boys’ basketball coach, Cody Steppler as head elementary boys’ basketball coach and Kenneth Jasper as assistant elementary boys’ basketball coach.
Summer custodial workers Kelly Vaught, Teri George, Mary Hauso, Cristina Annett, Taleasha DePriest, Ryan Acson, Heidi Danielson, Peyton Jahns and Chris Chilson were approved. Summer duties will determine how many hours will be worked.
Theresa McDonald and Wendy Nickoloff were approved to clean computers over the summer at $20 per computer.
Parenteau was approved for hire as elementary principal, with a retirement incentive of $1,000/year after 10 years in the district.
Simonsen was approved for hire as superintendent for 2026-2028, with salary increases of $118,450 and $121,950 respectively.
Lisa Pierce was approved for junior/ high school vo ag teacher position.
Election Reminder: An election for one open three-year seat on the Culbertson School Board of Trustees is set for May 6. The candidates are Chris Newbill, Heather Carlisle and Verlin Steppler. Voting will take place from noon to 8 p.m.
