Malta School Board Holds January Meeting

On Wednesday, January 11, the Malta School District met for items on the agenda.

Board member, Scott Meneely of the Building Committee stated the school has funds allocated and will utilize the funds to retain the architect for the HVAC – to look at the bathroom remodel and sewer system at the grade school. It will be a process, and bids will be going out directly. The flooring and pipes will require much remodeling, as the plumbing goes through the middle of the hallways.

Chairman Carter Clausen inquired as to any plans to update the 73-year-old school when the sewer and bathroom is being remodeled, such as an addition, a wing remodel, bathroom addition or anything like that. He stated, “At 50 some kindergartners this year and last, and hopefully continuing next year, space is gunna be tight…it might be such a thing that, we may have to come back and look for our tax payers to fund a major, a MAJOR, overhaul.”

Board Member Jessica Oyler inquired as to when the work on the sewer and remodel is being done, if would it be possible to consider putting a bathroom in the Special Education room and possibly enlarge the bathrooms at the end of the hall, which has two girls stalls and there is only one boys stall and three working urinals. She also inquired as to having inspectors, “I can’t imagine about the room above the gym, ‘being okay’…” Supt. Matt Genger responded that the fire marshall does routine inspections.

The Personnel Committee stated that they would like add an interview to the process of hiring a substitute in addition to a background check and screening.

There was no report from the Student Council due to the amount of activities that went on at the school in conjunction with the holiday season.

Elementary Principal Shiloh Seymour said the Christmas programs had gone well and were well attended. The concerts allow the students, music teachers and teachers to showcase their talents and hard work.

She stated the AR (Accelerated Reading) program was held, “they did the domino thing, the Grinch showed up and that was really a highlight.”

Report cards were held up due to a computer glitch, she had contacted Mr. Bleth and the situation was fixed, but cards would be late.

A Personal Development Day was scheduled held January 16th, with no school for students allowing teachers to attend the PIR day. Curriculum math would be looked at and updating standards. She would have the results of that in February.

PIE (Parents Involved in Education) gave out two $500 grants to Mr. Engebretson and Mrs. Veit, which helps with classroom needs. They will distribute another grant in May. The funds for the grants comes from chocolate sales and book fair sales.

She ended her report, stating the new lunchroom tables are in.

Principal Shawn Bleth shared that Mrs. Cederberg would be hosting another presentation in a series for parents, this one would be “Raising Mentally Healthy Kids”.

Monday, February 6, and Tuesday, February 7, are spring parent teacher conferences at the high school and February 7, and Thursday, February 9, at the elementary school.

Thursday, February 16 through Saturday, February 18, Malta will be hosting District basketball at the high school gym which will make for a busy weekend.

Sunday, May 21, will be graduation. The school year is quickly winding down with many activities and events still in store.

He handed out the honor roll list. He said this years’ senior class is abnormal in the number of students on the honor roll.

Asked if he was happy about it, Supt. Bleth stated he was. The valedictorian and salutatorian have been selected, it is determined at the end of the seventh semester. The office has been getting requests for transcripts for students applying for scholarships; the usual request is for five (copies), maybe 10.

“It is freakish, there are years where people who are ranked 10, 11, and 12 would have been valedictorian in any other class. This year, now with the ranking on there, they are getting requests for 25 copies. I feel sorry for the Mustang Foundation, they are going to have their work cut out for them with the number of kids applying for scholarships! The Senior class is pleasantly abnormal, they are being very aggressive.”

The attendance comparison for the grades was presented by Prin. Bleth. “In trying to get attendance better, we haven’t seen much progress. A relatively small number of kids are missing a significant amount of school.” He stated ways in which the school was approaching the absences, including messages to the parents to try to get the student to school more often. “Some have legitimate reasons for absences, others do not. It is a work in progress.”

Prin. Bleth said the floor gym would be the first job on the schedule for refinishing, and it would be necessary to take a look at when the school would be shut down for the work and what kind of schedule there would be to/for reopening and use of the gym. Aftercare and traffic on the gym floor would also need to be addressed. The old gym would need to be utilized more this summer.

In regards to the old gym, he had visited with Eric at Radio Shack and he will install the cameras for security purposes, which will cover the wrestling room as well. This will cut down on vandalism and damages to the gym.

He visited with the company that had installed the pulleys for raising and lowering the basketball hoops and they discussed winches to help with the process. He will be getting a bid on two winches and also on all six, to bring to the board for discussion. “I know there are a lot of other fish to fry right now, but it is something to look at, to think about.” It would assist during “Swishfest” and volleyball. He stated that when he cranks it up, he puts a pair of vice grips on the handle and cranks, cranks, cranks, with every crank it usually moves about 7mm – if he’s lucky.

In her report, AD Desiree Egger stated there are up and coming events. The shot clocks have been ordered for old gym. The track positions have been filled, and 5th and 6th grade basketball coach has been hired. There will be a H.S. wrestling tournament at the end of the month along with a mixer, and an AAU tournament following that. With the district basketball tournament coming up, she has been working closely with Mr. King, and stated she was appreciative of his assistance. Packets were ready for handout at the meetings this weekend.

Malta will host the 2024 Divisional Girls Volleyball and Divisional Boys Basketball Tournaments.

Transportation Supervisor Pat Sargent stated Bus 1 had some interior light issues, the lights were ordered and were due to arrive the following day. The bus is road ready now, the interior is not as lit as it will be. Bus #2 had battery issues, the batteries were less than a year old, were under warranty and replaced at no cost to the school. Bus #3 has a rear leak in the air valve, it can be ran, it is just that after parking it, the air doesn’t come out evenly and leans to one side; parts were ordered and when they show up, will be replaced.

Sargent said, “In the process of doing that, there is significant corrosion on a lot of the components under the bus that was not addressed prior to us getting it so they are starting to creep up now in running it and the rust is starting to wreak havoc on some of those parts. We’re trying to play catch-up on a few of them and a few of them are still holding strong.” He stated he would pass on Bus 4 for the time being.

On the Thomas bus, he stated that upper and lower door seals were installed; they were waiting for parts to get a coolant leak fixed.

Activity Bus 6 had to have door seals installed. The Saco bus had an air leak and Davis Glassworks came over and fixed it.

Other buses, Zortman and Loring, were in pretty good shape.

An evacuation drill is scheduled.

The buses were ready for the second semester inspection as required by OPI. He had been contacted about a substitute for the one route and that individual was coming in to begin the paperwork process for getting licensed. John Kauth is in the process of getting lined out to be a route driver, he is currently a relief driver for CHS. He would like to get a route next year.

A meeting will be scheduled with the bus drivers to show them what all is in the facility, where things are, putting things away, keeping the place clean, etc.

New door locks are here for the building and will be installed. There is a recall on the Explorer, and it will be dropped off at Hi-Line Ford for the repairs.

Supt. Matt Genger said Steve French has applied as an activity bus driver, with the drug test and background check to be completed.

Under the contract agenda, David Egger began practice last week with the 5th and 6th grade basketball; Shyla Clausen and Desiree Egger were hired as high school track coaches; Jennifer Ricket and Ryan Wilson for Middle School track, and volunteers Pat Sargent and Andy Schell. Middle School coaches will be Mardee Scott, Sue Gilkerson, Stacie Simanton and Kali Rummel.

MHSA proposals were presented by AD Egger, discussed and voted on accordingly.

Discussion was held on diplomas and upcoming graduation.

The board will be disposing of a no longer needed/used bus, it will be advertised for sale.

The board reviewed questions for interviews of applicants for the superintendent position. Three interviews were scheduled for applicants.

Supt. Genger addressed the board with a survey that would address the question of the district moving to a four day school week. Discussion was held on which method would be the most effective and cost efficient means of getting the survey out.

The lunchroom tables at the elementary school have been placed as stated earlier, the old tables will be recycled in various ways.

The eighth grade ski trip will be Friday, March 31.

The board will meet again in Wednesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.