Several vacancies filled at Plains Schools

At a sparsely attended meeting of the Plains School Board of Trustees, board members moved forward with filling several vacant positions.

The first vacancy addressed was that of drama director. Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Taylor Boles, a graduate of Plains High School, to the position. Additional personnel actions included the hiring of Stacy Fulton as a substitute teacher and Hailey Benton as a paraprofessional.

Elementary Principal Kevin Meredith submitted his monthly report to the board, highlighting several upcoming changes discussed during a recent athletic directors meeting for Western Class B schools.

"A couple of new things are going to happen this year. There will no longer be district volleyball or basketball tournaments. They are just going to be what they are calling super divisionals. All the teams will be there," Meredith said.

Meredith noted that this year's super divisional tournaments will be held in Florence.

He also reported that Plains student Ava Lawyer was recently named Student Athlete of the Week by the Montana High School Association for her accomplishments in soccer.

Meredith continued his report by discussing the school's current mathematics curriculum for grades K-5, which expires after this school year.

"One of the things that we have seen with our curriculum over the last five years is the explosion in the cost of curriculum," Meredith said. "So we are trying to find a creative way to still offer a quality curriculum and quality instruction but do it in a way that can save some money."

Meredith said the school is exploring the possibility of developing its own curriculum rather than purchasing a commercial program.

"We are in the beginning of that process," he said.

He also reported that the district recently switched student testing providers to a more affordable company, FastBridge, resulting in annual savings of more than $6,000.

Meredith further noted that fourth-grade teacher Beth Meaden was instrumental in securing a donation of 31 bleacher chairs from Red Lodge-based Crazy Creek Outfitters. The donation is valued at nearly $2,000.

High School Principal Dr. Heidii Fettinger discussed the recent Crimes Against Children seminar held at the school. Detective April Phillips of the Sanders County Sheriff's Office and Plains Police Sgt. Rob Geenen participated in the program and later returned to present two age-appropriate internet safety seminars for students during the school day.

Fettinger also reported that the school received a $5,000 donation to improve the football field.

Under new business, trustees voted to approve the creation of a student trustee position on the school board. Board of Trustees policy 1105 states, the position is intended to strengthen communication between students and board members by providing direct input from the student body.

The student trustee will serve as a non-voting member and must maintain good academic and behavioral standing. The one-year term will begin with the board's first meeting in September and conclude at the final meeting of the school year.

    Elementary Principal Kevin Meredith discusses the school's math curriculum. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Three Plains School Board trustees were present for the September meeting, including Chair Colleen McCarthy, Monica Weedeman and Doug Padden. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)