Public comment prompts policy review

SEELEY LAKE - Public comment at the March 15 Seeley Lake Elementary School Board Meeting has led the board to request a review of community use of school facilities.

A local community member questioned the board regarding a religious group that was allowed to pray on school grounds. The community member stated the school is opening the door for all types of religious groups.

In recent weeks, a religious group was allowed to enter the building on a Sunday, according to Josh Gibbs, Superintendent/Principal. He granted permission based on history. Last year the group prayed outside the building, but it was his understanding this has been a common practice for several years.

Gibbs granted permission since it was a Sunday and no students would be present. Gibbs stated to the board, based on the concerns that have been brought forward, he would like the Board to review how to approach community use of the school.

Gibbs stated some districts require the board approve all community use. The SLE policy states the superintendent makes the decision.

Board Chair Kyle Marx added they should contact legal and see if any changes need to be made. He added that a change in policy would take the weight of the decision off the shoulders of the superintendent.

The board hopes to have answers from legal and address the community use policy again at the April meeting.

Gibbs reported the girls basketball team was participating in the Copper League Tournament. Track will start March 28, after spring break. Spring soccer for kindergarten through sixth grade will also happen. Gibbs pointed out soccer is usually in the fall but they didn’t have enough volunteers.

The board approved hiring Brett Haines and Alexis Higareda as track coaches. Gibbs said depending on the number of kids who participate there may be a need for a third coach. There is someone on standby if that happens.

Since the last board meeting, Gibbs reported the elementary school has had three COVID cases, none in the past couple of weeks. The current plan is to continue temperature checks in the morning and reevaluate the plan for next year later. There has been an uptick in Influenza A cases and norovirus in the past couple of weeks. Gibbs indicated they would continue to sanitize.

The board also approved the hiring of Darlene Hartman-Hallam for the 2022-23 school year as the Special Education Teacher. She is currently in Dayton, Montana wearing a lot of different hats. She has decided to move out of administration into this role. She will be looking for housing in the area.

Gibbs also advised the board they were looking at having the seventh and eighth grade band students go up to the high school. The music teacher is shared with the high school. The change would allow her to teach two classes at once. Also, the seventh and eighth graders can compete at the district music festival and other activities with high schoolers. The issue is transportation, Gibbs stated. Depending on numbers, the high school has a Suburban that can transport up to nine but if numbers grew, they would have to look at running a bus. He said this is all in the discussion phase and there would be more information and discussion later.

The school board will meet again at 5:30 p.m. April 19 at SLE. Agenda items include teacher contracts and hopefully the school calendar for the 2022-23 school year.