Malta School Board recap

The Malta School Board approved a change to the school district’s handbook which allowed three wrestlers who did not qualify for last week’s State Wrestling Tournament in Billings to travel on the team bus to attend the event.

The school board, made up of five trustees, voted 3-2 in favor of the amendment to the student handbook after a 30-minute discussion between school administration, parents and the board. Those not in favor of the amendment were worried that changing the rules in the student handbook mid-semester rather than altering it at the beginning of the school year would set a bad precedence. Another worry from those against the change said students who had already asked school officials to attend state meets with their teammates this school year, but hadn't qualify for the State events, were told they could not travel with the teams. Those students whose requests were denied included members of the M-ette’s Cross Country and Volleyball teams and Malta Speech and Drama.

“It is all about being consistent with our programs,” Malta High School Principal and Activities Director Scott King said.

Malta School District Superintendent Kris Kuehn agreed with Principal King on remaining consistent with the student handbook and said changes should only be made to the handbook at the beginning of the school year when it is approved by the school board.

“You are setting yourself up for failure if you change it midstream,” he said. “It really gives some people who have asked in the past, this year, a reason to doubt us … that the target is moving … if what was written can’t be followed, then how do we know what's to be followed.”

Trustee Doug Ost pointed out that Malta’s Student Handbook states that rules can be altered at any time. Supt. Kuehn acknowledge that changes are allowed, but added “you better have a pretty good reason."

“We didn’t (change the rule) two weeks ago with Speech and Drama,” Supt. Kuehn said.

Trustee Ost said Speech and Drama does not consist of two people working with each other on a team.

“It doesn’t takes two to compete,” Trustee Ost said. “As far as wrestling, it is a team sport and it takes two to do it.”

Trustee Ost added if the Speech and Drama members could have demonstrated to him that it takes two people to compete, he would have listened. Malta teacher Kelly McCann argued that Speech and Drama is a team activity.

“I would challenge anybody in the room to argue with me that the Humorous Duo is not a team effort on par with two wrestlers competing on a mat,” he said.

Trustee Ost made a motion to change the student handbook to allow three wrestlers to travel on the team bus to the State Tournament for the 2017 season. Parents of wrestlers said they would gladly pay for the tickets for the events, meals and any other expenses the students might incur while at State.

Malta School Board President Mark Knudsen and Trustees Ost and Greg Skiff voted in favor while Trustees Carter Clausen and RJ Tollefson voted against.

Malta Elementary Report

During the elementary school report, Principal Theodore Schye informed the board that the school's current enrollment is at 239 and would be at 241 as of this week, right around average for the year.

Principal Schye said the MES Science Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21 – the same day as the Phillips County Spelling Bee in Whitewater – and added the Science Fair Award Ceremony will be on Wednesday, February 22 starting at 1:30 p.m. following the public viewing of displays from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Malta Middle School Report

During the middle school report, Principal Shawn Bleth informed the board that the school’s volleyball season was coming to an end and wrestling practice starts the week of February 13.

Principal Bleth said Naylene Winkel recently won the school’s spelling bee (see page 4A) and along with several classmates will represent the school at the County Bee next week. Principal Bleth announced the date of the middle school Honor Choir concert is Tuesday, March 7. Principal Bleth also said students would be attending this year’s Ice Fishing Trip at Nelson Reservoir on Tuesday, February 28.

Malta High School Report

During the high school report, Principal King said Phillips County Sheriff Scott Moran will be meeting with school officials to discuss the implementation of an emergency alert service paid for by the 9-11 Fund. Principal King said the new service would allow texting and emailing capabilities from the school to student’s parents in case of emergency or updates.

“For instance, if we had a situation like we are running busses early or maybe we were closing school early because we had a water leak, through this system we would be able to put out a mass-communication to our parents and faculty,” he said. “I think it gives us a great opportunity to open the lines of communication, once more, with our parents and guardians.”

Principal King said that many cement sidewalks around campus are in disrepair and in need attention. Trustee Ost recommended that the Malta School District’s Building Committee plan a special meeting to hear all the school’s construction needs.

“Figure out what we are up against,” he said.

Malta School Activity Report

During his activity report, Principal King announced that the Annual FFA Breakfast will be held Tuesday, February 21 and the date for the MHS Play will be held on April 10 and 11.