New school year start-up events reviewed by CHS School Board

Chairwoman Miller called the October 13, 2015 meeting to order. Board members present were Michael Copenhaver, James Hodgson, Ernest Johnson, Pauly Miller, Joel Pruttis and Viki Tilleman. Absent were Scott Gunderson (Excused); and Travis Buck.

Guests were welcomed. Elizabeth Hodgson, Chinook High Student Council President, reported on a successful Homecoming Week, expressed thanks to parents and staff for their support of the homecoming activities and introduced plans for a small recycling project that is being started.

Craig Lowham, First Bank of Montana, gave a short presentation that focused on student success through technology and board awareness of constant change/growth.Superintendent Hannum had no personnel/staff reports. There was no public comment. There were no changes to the agenda as distributed and the respective boards approved a consent agenda for the meeting.

New Business

The elementary board motioned and approved a Student Attendance Agreement for Anna Getten, in seventh grade (Zurich) who lives outside the district. Both boards approved annual transportation forms be filed with the County Superintendent of Schools. Corrected Bus Routes 1-3 were presented with a total of 300.2 daily miles. The board approved the corrected routes as presented.

Reports and updates

Superintendent Hannum made his report. He noted a junior highs girls’ basketball assistant coach is needed due to preliminary numbers. He announced that Chinook Schools is being presented the award of MSGIA Outstanding School for Workers’ Compensation. Hannum discussed the possibility of combining travel for jr./sr. high students and suggested ways to get parental/community feedback on the idea. He summarized the season’s outcomes for junior high football, junior high volleyball and high school girls’ volleyball. The board was invited to attend the upcoming Senior Night/Football game.

Principal Martin reported that MAPS/DIBELS is completed at Meadowlark and should be completed soon at Hartland Colony. Both Beeter Buddies Day and Robotic/Technology Assembly were fun events for the kids last month at Meadowlark. The Believe Kids school-wide fundraiser was launched and assemblies are being held weekly to recognize students’ awards for positive behavior at Meadowlark. Parent/Teacher conferences are set for November 2-3 at Meadowlark. Martin has been working with Nick Turner, the teacher at Hartland Colony, to have both elementary schools on the same Math/Reading curriculum.

Mr. Hannum reported for Chinook Jr/Sr High in Principal Molyneaux’s absence. Speech/Drama has begun practice and the numbers of participants are very good. Senior presentations were made on way to improve school/community with a number of interesting ideas proposed. Hannum welcomed everyone to the first jr./sr. music concert set for Tuesday, October 20, at 7 p.m., in the high school auditorium.

The meeting was adjourned.