School Board: MES enrollment at 252, Auto Vacuums Unleashed

All board members, the District Clerk, and Supt. Matt Genger were present for the Malta School Board meeting on Wednesday, September 14. First item on the agenda to be addressed was the approval of the substitute teacher list.

Malta Schools Supt. Matt Genger said five candidates were on the list and they were approved with a board vote.

Pat Sargent gave a report on the buses, updates, issues and repairs needed, and the repairs and maintenance completed. He also stated at this time there is no back-up bus available. He provided information on a 54 passenger seat bus that he knew was for sale; this will be looked into further when price and other details are solidified.

Pat stated, that with the purchase of the new building to house the buses, other items need to be checked into and purchased to bring the building up to specs and code. Another item all districts across the nation will be looking at is cross arms for buses. This is a safety factor that will need to be checked into.

Elementary Principal Shiloh Seymour provided the report on behalf of the grade school; as of August, the start of school, there are 252 students enrolled; fire drill practice was held, Little Mustang Day where the high school football boys join the kids at the grade school. She also provided a report on the Loring School and on playground equipment.

Principal Seymour gave a report that the kids will be coming to the High School for the Homecoming events.

High School Principal Shawn Bleth started his report with the enrollment for the year, Homecoming events and a quick history of Malta Mustang Football; it was 100 years ago the first game was played with Saco, and the Mustangs defeated the team 37-0.

He addressed SOS training; there will be a suicide awareness and prevention class coming and students will be taking home notes. If the parents so desire, they can opt out of being included in the sessions.

With the unavailability to secure janitorial applicants, the school has started using auto vacuums; they have to be programed to each room first then they are set free to clean. He stated they are quite impressive and have added greatly to the cleaning of the building.

Athletic Director Desiree Egger announced that they are down one wrestling coach with the resignation of Noah Simanton; and girls’ Coach Mardee Scott will be limiting her coaching time this year as well.

She stated when the new electronic shot clocks are ready to hang and be out into action, there will be an advertisement and those selected will be trained on the clocks.

The Board approved two requests for transportation of students.

Supt. Genger gave an overview of the School Policy items beginning with #1000. He then gave a report on testing the students had last spring and those results compared to the previous report.

The sprinkler at the football field was discussed; replacing of bathroom tile and other maintenance items needed.

US Food has changed their delivery and route so that getting food might be an issue; it was stated that Turner has to drive to Harlem to pick up their order, and the issue of keeping products frozen during transportation becoming an issue as well.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is October 12th.