School District Hires New Business Manager
The Wolf Point School board hired Demi Wilkinson as the school district’s new business manager during a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Wilkinson is replacing long-term business manager/district clerk Cheri’ Nygard, who is moving to Lockwood. She has served as district clerk since 2011. Later in the meeting, trustees unanimously appointed Wilkinson as the district clerk.
Nygard was approved as a parttime business office consultant to assist the school district in the transition. She will be paid $70 an hour when her assistance is needed.
“My preference is to stay with her because she knows the process, the ins and outs,” superintendent David Perkins said. “It’s a major advantage having her involved.”
Also hired was Jody Richards as junior high social studies teacher. Resignations from Nygard along with paraprofessionals Anthony Harrison and Marissa Follet were received.
After some discussion, trustees approved to have Eileen Karge serve as an educational consultant to complete job descriptions and activity handbook projects. The agreement is for $60 an hour for a maximum of 10 days. The motion passed 4-1 with trustee Michael Turcotte voting against.
Trustees approved the 2023-2024 student handbooks for each school. Turcotte questioned language in the junior high/high school handbook requiring covering up hickeys. Turcotte wondered if forcing students to cover up is going against their body rights.
Perkins said school district can’t tell students to cut their hair or do something that they can’t change. Junior high principal Dan Horsmon explained that now it’s more of a learning moment, such as teachers asking students if that’s the way they wish to represent themselves.
Trustees approved the handbooks on a 5-0 vote.
Perkins requested a change in his contract. Because he declined to participate in the district’s insurance program, he hoped to receive $1,584 monthly in the district’s annuity programs. Nygard said the costs between the investment or a two-party health plan are the same. Trustees approved Perkins’ request by a 5-0 margin.
The board approved change order in Esser fund projects to cover costs for aluminum bleachers at the football field, Northside HVAC upgrade and bus barn expansion.
