Missoula County Public School Board
The Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) Board of Trustees met at Seeley-Swan High School for their October board meeting, Oct. 13. Several staff and students spoke about the changes in the school week and Superintendent Mark Thane addressed the MCPS Bond.
SSHS math teacher Mary Stone provided the board with an update on the 4+ school week. She said an average of 35 students are required to attend every Friday to make up work or retake tests. Of those, five to six are no-shows. An average of seven students per week are coming in because they want extra help or to retake a test to get a higher grade, even though they passed it on the first try.
Stone also highlighted the enrichment clubs including art, chess, drama and ACT prep clubs that meet on Fridays. Three students spoke in support of the 4+ day week and shared why they take advantage of Fridays, even though they aren’t required to be at school.
Alex Bohlman said it is great one-on-one time with her teachers to get extra help and it is less distracting.
Trinitey Bartlett said that Fridays don’t have the pressure of the regular week. She also participates in art club and said, “It’s opened new doors [since I’ve never been able to do art before]. I’m able to express myself and get help from my teachers when I need it.”
Lexi Carpenter said, “Coming in on Fridays has helped enhance my understanding of certain subjects.” Carpenter is also participating in the art club and shared a few of her paintings with the board.
Thane highlighted the benefits to SSHS should the MCPS $70 million high school bond pass this November. He said the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has given their full support of the bond.
The bond would fund the following at SSHS:
• Addition of a stage area to the old gym increasing classroom space, performing arts space and allowing benefits to the student and community
• Replacing switches, wireless access and adding additional spaces for computer access to the school. Much of this has already been done through the building reserve funds last year.
• Updating learning spaces.
• Fixing portions of the roof where maintenance has been deferred and replacing the boiler.
• Updating the front entrance allowing for visual supervision from the office.
• Adding restroom facilities to the public library that is located in the school. This will help control the public’s interaction with students.
Thane said that MCPS staff has met with the Seeley Lake community on three different occasions in the last couple of weeks. For further information visit MCPS website, http://www.mcpsmt.org and click on Smart Schools 2020 Bonds below Headlines and News on the home page. There is detailed information specific to every school, the proposed projects, tax information and historical documents related to the bond.
In other business:
• The board unanimously approved the travel request from SSHS for a group to go to Orosi, Costa Rica in 2016 along with three other travel requests from Hellgate and Big Sky. When questioned if the district provides funding for students if they are not financially able to go, Roberta Stengel responded that it is an inclusive not exclusive program with ample fundraising opportunities. However if someone who has participated in the fundraising activities and still cannot afford to go, it will be made possible, usually by an anonymous donor.
• Transportation routes and revisions to Conley Transportation for SSHS bus service were unanimously approved.
• Conley Transportation owner Owen Conley informed the board during public comment that he has talked with county staff and has written the Missoula County Commissioners about getting a 25 mile per hour (mph) school zone sign system put in place between the top of the hill to the bridge on Airport Road near the entrances of the SSHS. He feels this is a safety issue because it is signed 25 mph going down and 35 mph going up the hill. The board will look into this further but did not discuss the request.
The next monthly MCPS board meeting is Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Business Building Boardroom, 915 South Ave. W., Missoula, Mont.
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