CHS School Board: Bus routes finalized, teachers hired

Steve Edwards

BCJ News

Information for this article from unapproved board minutes.

Since the school board typically does not meet in July, a late-June meeting was held to complete some carry-over business from last meeting and prepare for July. The three 2016-17 school bus routes were approved after one change in Route #1 (Details for bus routes were printed in the June 29 issue of the “Journal”). Two new classified teacher contracts were approved and it was reported there are still three full-time teacher vacancies to be filled.

Chairwoman Miller called the meeting to order. Board members present were Ernest Johnson, Scott DePriest, Pauly Miller, Mark Harshman and Viki Tilleman. Joel Pruttis was absent and excused, Scott Gunderson was absent. There were no presentations or public comments. Two motions were made and approved to accept a consent agenda, which included approval of the minutes from the June 14, 2016 meeting and approval of paper and electronic claims and warrants.

Old Business

School District Superintendent Hannum informed the board the bus routes for 2016-17 were completed. Bus route #3 will be four miles shorter than originally described and the bus will not travel west of the Plainsman. Bus route #3 was confirmed by motion and approved. The three approved bus routes were read into the meeting minutes. Including morning and afternoon trips, the three routes will total 298.2 miles.

New Business

Superintendent presented recommendations regarding classified teacher contracts. A half-time counselor contract was motioned and approved to Jordan Pierce. The board motioned and approved a full-time elementary contract to Bryce Weinheimer, with elementary grade level to be determined. The board motioned and approved a recommendation to non-renew Savannah Brown.

The board motioned and approved holding a school auction of old/unused material. Auction to be held in July with a two-week advance posting in the newspaper. Board was notified that bids for maintenance supplies were secured per requirements. Since the board will not be meeting in July, a motion was made and approved to grant authority to pay all warrants/claims for July.

Several 2016-17 individual transportation agreements were considered. Superintendent recommended approval of five agreements for high school students. Motioned and approved. Recommendation for two transportation contracts was also motioned and approved. Board approved two student attendance agreements. One allowed a student from Harlem District to attend in the Chinook District and the other for a Chinook student to attend in Harlem.

Administrative Reports

Superintendent Hannam reported. He discussed the ‘possible move’ to Class B for Chinook High (Current enrollment is 114 students). The maintenance department has been repairing a number of roof/wall cracks and will be monitoring to see if the problem with water leaks is fixed. Hannam said there are still three full-time teaching positions to be filled and noted he and Mr. Molyneaux may be teaching half-time during the coming year. Superintendent also noted the computer system overhaul has gone very well, adding the new provider is easy to work with and willing to assist in any way they can. Website hosting is improving, but still has a couple hitches.

Elementary principal Jon Martin reported. He said the bike giveaway by American Garage, for perfect attendance, was a huge success with 10 bikes given away at the end of the last school year. First Bank of Montana has offered a banking program to help students become more familiar with finances. Martin told the board he is currently working on a grant that would allow Meadowlark students to participate in virtual field trips.

Meeting was adjourned.