Swan Valley School Board
SWAN VALLEY - Members of the Swan Valley Elementary School Board unanimously approved a first reading of multiple new policies and policy revisions during their monthly meeting Tuesday, April 20. They also discussed Missoula City-County Health Department’s conversion of COVID-19 prevention methods going from mandates to recommendations in May.
The new policies have to do with student sexual harassment grievance procedures, staff sexual harassment procedures, personnel background checks, and drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers.
The policies that were revised dealt with minor language changes for policies regarding the general complaint procedures; child abuse, neglect and sex trafficking reporting; and use of Federal Title I funds.
The Board also discussed the Missoula City-County Board of Health’s recent announcement that they would shift the county-wide face covering requirements to recommendations on or after May 11 once 60% of county residents have gotten at least one dose of the vaccine. If it does become recommended, then the board would have to vote on whether or not they would like to make masks optional on school grounds.
Board member Jimmy Boyd said he would like to have the grades socially reintegrate once the mandate becomes recommendation.
“What I’m wondering is, can we change that culture to where it’s not an active effort to keep them separated?” he said. “We should do what we can, in my opinion, to allow the kids to be kids together. That was one of the strongest things I thought about this school was how the older kids took care of the younger kids.”
Board Member Marcia Tapp said she does not want to prematurely revoke the policy but if the county makes the mandate optional, then it should be up to individuals to decide.
“I think when Missoula County says that we don’t have to wear masks anymore, there’s no reason to have it altogether,” she said.
No decisions were made following this discussion but the board intends to make a decision if applicable at their meeting in May.
During his maintenance report Principal Ralph King said over spring break they had the floors polished and the tiles were reglued in both of the junior high bathrooms.
The board also unanimously passed the 2021-2022 Swan Valley Elementary/Seeley Lake Elementary contract regarding clerk duties, counseling and special education for $26,000 annually.
They tabled their discussion and consideration of staff raises for next month when all of the board members are present.
The board’s next meeting will take place at 7 p.m. May 11 at Swan Valley Elementary School.
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