Huntley Project Lions Club presented Huntley Project School District with a $13,000 donation at the school board meeting held Monday, October 16.
Board member Clint Johannes said last year, the Lions Club committed to a similar donation to help with costs associated with playground equipment, track repairs, softball diamond upgrades, and other high school sports-related expenses.
Superintendent Mark Wandle said on behalf of the entire district, he greatly appreciates all the support the Lions Club has provided the school. Vice President of HP Lions Club, Bethany Hein said they also appreciate the support HP School District always brings to Homesteader Days and other community events.
In other affairs, the school board approved hiring Ron Reed as a bus driver. Wandle planned to recommend hiring Rebecca Harp as an elementary teacher, however the state Department of Public Instruction was delayed in processing some of the paperwork in this instance. So, the board tabled hiring an elementary teacher until next month’s meeting.
Training for the school’s new full-time nurse, Tammy Van Olnhausen, began the last week of September. In her first monthly report, Van Olnhausen made 70 contacts with parents, 52 students were sent home from school; 129 illness evaluations took place; 163 injury/first-aid evaluations; five staff evaluations; eight bloody noses; four dental evaluations; seven bee stings; and one lice check.
Finally, at Monday’s school board meeting, it was indicated Shepherd Schools plans to hire a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO). HP Schools have always shared an SRO in the past with Shepherd. Nonetheless, with Shepherd’s decision, is looking to hire one full time so Yellowstone County Sheriff’s office is wondering about our future plans.
Wandle and other administrators agreed they probably did not require a full-time officer to be at the campus at all times. “We could use permissive levy money to offset the cost, but it would be $70,000 or more,” suggested Wandle. The board did not take any immediate action on this item, but would like to solicit public comment on the idea of hiring a full-time as opposed to part-time SRO.
In addition, the school district announced they will hold an obsolete equipment sale Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The board approved such sale and directed it to be advertised in the Yellowstone County News.
