School Officials Hold Safe Return Meetings

With the start of the school year fast approaching, Wolf Point school officials held public meetings to discuss a safe return from COVID 19 challenges.

After one public meeting on July 13, the meeting on July 20 attracted additional community members to voice suggestions.

Wolf Point Superintendent of Schools Loverty Erickson explained that one of the requirement of being eligible for COVID related funding is to have meaningful dialogue with community members.

She said residents can obtain information about COVID on the school’s website under the COVID-19 tab. Included is a safe return to schools draft policy that trustees are currently reviewing.

The draft includes optional mask wearing starting this fall.

“If that’s not something you want, let us know,” Erickson said to audience members.

On the website is a summary of purchases made by the school district with COVID relief funds.

Erickson added that people can look at the Montana Office of Public Instruction website to research where future COVID relief funds can be spent.

“This is what guides us for some of the funding,” she said.

A Power Point presentation was shared to show the support of the Believe, Achieve, Succeed banners. Erickson explained that the goal of having the banners was to show students how the students are standing behind them.

“Every business was more than happy to show their support,” Erickson said. Ideas from audience members regarding spending future COVID funding included HVAC upgrades, an additional music teacher, adding another counselor, more elementary activities, more mental health treatment options, Southside restrooms, new playground equipment, high school locker room improvements, band at Northside, bringing the salad bar back for lunch, an anti-bullying app, art/wood shop/crafts, alternative education and more technology.