Handbooks approved, strategic plan discussed

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board of Education unanimously approved their student and employee handbooks during their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 21. Superintendent Josh Gibbs also discussed the progress on SLE’s strategic plan.

The handbooks contain several policies and procedures for students and staff including dress code, harassment consequences and appropriate behavior in various circumstances.

Regarding masks, Gibbs said if a student refuses to wear one, then following additional conversations they would go to remote learning. Images and sayings on masks fall under standard student dress code which ban anything vulgar, violent or drug related. Political and religious symbols would be allowed so long as they are appropriate.

The board then discussed the newly formed School Improvement Planning Team that will help form SLE’s strategic plan. The plan is intended to help guide staff towards common goals and find ways to improve certain operations.

Since the last school board meeting, the team list was finalized and included Gibbs, counselor Toni Sexton, special education director Janina Bradley, board member Doc Welter, parents Rebecca Bowman and Alyssa McLean as well as kindergarten teacher Sheila Devins, third grade teacher Kristy Pohlman and middle school teacher Patti Bartlett.

Gibbs said following the SLE’s community crossover event in February which was led by Dr. Daniel Farr, attendees filled out a survey that determined what the key strengths and priority concerns of the parents were. From that SLE determined four goals and measurable objectives that could be taken towards achieving said goals. The goals included reviewing and updating the overall curriculum; increasing student achievement in Math and English Language Arts; expanding school culture; and reviewing and updating district policies, procedures and protocols.

Later, another survey was sent to the School Improvement Planning Team where they were asked what some of the root causes and possible solutions were of said concerns.

Gibbs said he hopes the improvement in math and English Language Arts could be specified as a more measurable goal. He is also asking for more team input regarding school culture.

By the next school board meeting, Gibbs hopes to have the document at a point of completion where he can present it to the board and have them review it and make suggestions. The meeting following it would hopefully adopt the plan’s final version.

“It’s a new process,” Gibbs said. “The plan is a long term type of plan. You do have your short term goals and measurable objectives but it is hopefully a document that we can get into place in the next couple of months and then use that as a roadmap for the coming few years and then adjust it as we go.”

In the future, the School Improvement Planning Team will hold virtual meetings where additional measurable objectives will be added in the future.

Board members unanimously approved Becky Johnson as the school’s new kitchen assistant. Johnson worked as an assistant at Seeley-Swan High School in the past.

Other items the school board unanimously approved included:

• Trustees fiscal year 2020 financial reports

• Superintendent evaluation tool

• Substitute list

• Student attendance agreements

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m.