School Board discusses developments in academic year

PLAINS – The Plains School Board Trustees met on Monday, September 16 to tend to a variety of different issues, varying from the progress of the school expansion to purchasing new iPads for the first grade class.

The meeting kicked off with reports from both the high school and elementary school principals.

Plains High School Principal Larry McDonald said the current high school population sits at 144 students, the size only decreasing by one student since the beginning of the year.

After seeing success in the elementary after school program, McDonald said the high school is also going to start an after school program. The program will focus on tutoring students after school, with the possibility of before school tutoring as well.

Part of the program will also help students get back on track if they fall behind. Teachers are able to refer the students to the program through referrals, allowing the students to utilize the tutoring opportunities.

“I think it could be a really good thing,” said McDonald.

The high school students will also be doing college campus visitations, gearing the students up for a college mind set. On Monday, September 23rd there will be a senior-parent meeting, allowing students to look at college admissions, scholarships and other areas involving the college realm.

As the seniors prepare for college, the juniors well take a fieldtrip to Missoula for a career fair on Tuesday, September 24th, also gearing their minds toward the future.

McDonald explained a change to the school year would include three obligatory count days instead of two. The recording days will take place in October, December and February – the days allowing the state of Montana to determine the average amount of students on a given day, in return affecting the funding the school receives.

“They are trying to make sure they have an accurate number,” said Superintendent Thom Chisholm.

Elementary School Principal Jim Holland then took the stage stating that on the next two Thursdays, the teachers, adhering the requirement by law to educate the students on the matter, will provide a cyber-bullying lesson. The seventh grade will participate in the lesson on September 19, while the eighth graders take the course on September 26.

Holland also explained a new development in seventh grade math. Holland said the three biggest challenges in seventh grade math is taking notes, staying organized and providing materials to help the students at home. Because of this, math books were created featuring the lessons that are used on the smart boards in class.

“These are printed out notes that (the students) can fill in as they go along,” said Holland. “We thought we would try this out a little bit and see if it works.”

Holland stated that so far they have been successful and kids have been using the booklets and some have even have worked ahead in the lessons.

Chisholm then took the stand reporting on the progress of the school expansion.

Two trees that are currently located within the perimeter of the new addition will be replanted while two of them will have to be removed. The two larger trees will be cut down because the relocation of the trees is not cost effective. Chisholm explained the wood from the trees would be used to make something new for the school, teaching the kids about recycling materials.

Currently the plan is moving into finalizations on the drawings of the building and work on the final site will begin shortly.

Chisholm also reported that the new, redesigned website has seen a great deal of use among teachers – something the school hoped for before revamping the website.

Next on the agenda was the McGowan Foundation Mini-Grant Request. Both the first grade teachers at the elementary school, Denise Montgomery and Beth Junge, requested two mini iPads to be purchased for each of the first grade classes.

Junge explained to the board that she recently took a technology course and was impressed with the different fucntions of the iPad.

“I want my kids to have access to that,” said Junge. “I was blown away by how simple it was to use.”

Montgomery agreed saying the iPad would help link abstract and concrete points, allowing the first grade students to grasp the concept between the two.

“I love technology. What I like about it is it engages the kids,” said Montgomery.

As she showed the board of trustees numerous applications, she explained the benefits.

“As first grade teachers we strive to bridge that gap between the concrete and the abstract. With this we are setting that foundation,” said Montgomery.

After the presentation the school board approved the purchase of two mini iPads for both of the first grade classes, costing $658 per class as well as an additional $50 payment per application.

As the presentations wound to a close, the trustees got on their feet and toured the improvements that were added to the campus during the summer months. The improvements included the completed façade of the building, as well as improvements to the gymnasium, shop class and counseling rooms.

The tour was led by Plains School Supervisor of Maintenance Bill Hayen.

After the half hour tour finished, the trustees went on to approve the Multi-District Agreement amendments, which focus on the technology-funding cooperative between the high school and the elementary school. The agreement was approved for the next three years with minor changes such as exit strategies.

The trustees wrapped up the meeting by approving resignations, hires, substitute approvals and out-of-district attendance agreements.

The next school board meeting takes place on Monday, October 21.