MHS Board Holds January Meeting

All members of the Malta School Board were in attendance for the January meeting on the 10th, which met at 7 p.m. Chairman Carter Clausen led the pledge to the flag.

Board member Scott Meneely made a motion, seconded by Angel DeVries, to approve the agenda, minutes from the last meeting, and approve the bills. There were no applications for substitute teaching. The motion passed unanimously. There was no showcase presentation by the Middle School.

Gina Lamb, Phillips County Prevention Specialist, was first on the agenda. She gave a presentation on an assembly that is coming on Monday, March 17th called Johnny's Ambassadors. Laura Stack, the mother of "Johnny" will speak at the high school and middle school and give presentations for parents and community members in the evening. Her presentation, "The Dangerous Truth About Marijuana" will be presented to all the high schools in the county. There will be a lunch provided prior to the evening session. Additional information will be provided in February.

There were no standing reports from the various committees.

Principal Shawn Bleth congratulated Bow SaintLouis and Jacob Stark on their selection to compete in the All-State Jazz Festival in Missoula. They were two of four from Class B selected for the honor. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled due to the extreme cold over last weekend.

Bleth stated that the Snowball Dance had gone nicely, with 70 students attending.

Elementary Principal Zach Handley reported the holiday concerts had gone well, and he praised Mr. Roy McKenney (band director) and Mrs. Janell McKenney (choir director) for the excellent and entertaining program.

He said Olson Fencing will be fabricating a fence on the west side of the playground; it is a safety issue, as little kids don't always pay attention when they dart out to retrieve a ball.

The elementary school has sent out report cards and held their Bringing Up Grades (BUG) awards.

Handley stated this week was the first week that no one was present to provide the community outreach program (assisting with serving breakfast on Wed. morning); he stated the kids enjoy it and missed it.

Once again, the Missoula Children's Theatre will be coming March 18th-23rd; performances are March 22nd at 6 p.m. and again on March 23rd at 11 a.m.

Athletic Director Jake Norby provided information about the weather concerns when traveling with the sports buses and precautions taken. He shared the precautions that the school is taking, as well as the collaboration between the hi-line schools keeping track of each other and offers for help in case the buses have issues. Board member, Scott Meneely spoke, addressing the safety issues and travel, "I appreciate all the forethought you given this...but it is just a weekend. There are going to be a lot of people traveling and with it being that cold, if something doesn't feel right...bag it. And if you bag it because of the weather, I have your back." Meneely added, "Send them my way! It's not worth it!"

Norby then moved on to the wrestling program update and stated that junior high wrestling has had 22 boys and two girls this season and the season has ended.

He explained the Huddle program that is being introduced.

Norby announced the upcoming competitions coming up for various sports. The Harlem Invitational has been canceled.

Malta held the Speech and Drama meet January 20th.

Item VI on the agenda was the 2023-2024 contracts. Supt. Steven Bucks announced Kelsi Baker has been hired as a fulltime staff member for food services, and Chalisse Hoff will fill the part-time position in food services. RJ Tollefson has been hired for the position of middle school boys' basketball coach. Raymond Hough will fill the position as coach for Spring Esports.

Norby again addressed those attending and gave a rundown on MHSA Annual Meeting proposals and the choices for his vote at the event. A list of those can be obtained at the office.

Bleth presented the board with a student request to graduate. He stated the board had the information in their packets to review; a motion to allow the student to graduate was made, followed by a seconding and the motion passed unanimously.

Brad Moore, the Assistant Superintendent at Havre School District and Clerk, had planned to attend the meeting, however, due to the weather, chose to appear by zoom. He addressed the four day school week topic in about 30 minutes of interaction and question/answer opportunities. He has assisted other school with their transition to a four day week. This presentation was for information only, no action was taken.

Bucks gave his report; he presented proposals for changes and updates in the school board handbook.

Due to a conflict with the basketball tournament action in February, the school board voted to change the February meeting day from Wednesday, February 14, to Monday, February 12, at 7 p.m.