School Board OKs Resident Stipend, Coaches
By James Walling
The Culbertson School Board met in regular session on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. Trustees present were Chris Petersen, chair, Wendy Becker, Amber Fox and Verlin Steppler. Representatives were Nicole Simonsen and Lora Finnicum. Visitors were recognized.
June bills were approved and reports were presented with no additions.
Resignations were from Alyssa Hatlestad and Samantha Purvis.
A motion was approved for hosting Heather Harrison for the 20252026 school year as a teacher resident and providing a $750 housing stipend.
A motion was approved to hire Kenneth Harrison as head cook, Ayden Ator as summer paraprofessional and Ally Simonsen and Jaxon Flinn as summer custodians for 2526. Wendy Becker made motion to hire Jenna Bowker as high school girls basketball assistant coach. Also approved were Milt Apple as junior high boys basketball head coach and Kevin Becker as junior high assistant coach.
Bus route #3 was approved for transfer from Larry Birch to Barry Bighorn for the remainder of the contract.
A budget amendment resolution was approved for $80,000 in the elementary general fund, $80,907 in the high school flex fund and $30,000 in the high school general fund.
Full-time classified positions of school secretary, paraprofessional, kitchen/custodian and JOM coordinator/ Title para/Home to School coordinator were opened. Amber Fox seconded motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Membership for Indian Impact Schools of Montana for 2025-26 was approved.
The board considered a request to offer weighted high school courses. The proposal would provide additional credit for classes with more rigor. The item was referred to the curriculum committee.
Out-of-district attendance agreements were approved as presented.
During the public comment period, a request was heard from the baseball program for permission to expand the cookshack and relocate a storage shed. A formal request will be presented at the July meeting.
