Malta School Board Holds June Meeting

The June meeting of the Malta School Board was held on June 5 instead of the usual 2nd Wednesday of the month, to accommodate schedules of those needing to attend. The meeting was opened by Chairperson Angel DeVries, with the pledge to the flag. Present were board members Katey Marquis, Kyle Kluck and Katie Brown; absent was Jessica Oyler.

Following approval of the agenda, the meeting opened with a report from Jake Norby, AD. He stated the state golf meet was over and that MHS sent five athletes to compete. No one placed; Norby thanked the coaches for their work with the students.

Norby stated that Denvyr Tuss had placed 5th in the shot put at the state track meet; Giona Lamb had placed 6th in the shot put , and Gavin Slade placed 6th in the javelin.

He discussed and explained some of the upcoming proposed changes in various sports, including 11-man football, and who will be able to host divisional tournaments, and the economic impact on the small schools if tournaments are only held in bigger towns across the state, such as Billings, Great Falls, Missoula or Bozeman.

Elementary Principal Zach Handley gave the report for the Elementary School: the HVAC construction is progressing. The new phone system has been installed and is working great.

Jordan Olson completed the fence on the west side of the playground and it will add a safety factor to the kids playing and often darting to chase a ball.

Handley stated that Erin Solberg was the overall AR student, “she had like 500 points, she spun the wheel throughout the year - it was incredible.”

Top chocolate sales was Aiden Brockie, he won an Atari.

The only student with perfect attendance throughout the year was Jackson Nelson. Handley treated him to dinner at Joe’s In and Out and to Coffee Central for some cappuccino.

He gave updates on upcoming trainings and enrollment for the upcoming year is looking to be 231 students.

Principal Shawn Bleth provided his update: workers had been here working on the flat roof above the auditorium, scrubbing and cleaning it.

Desiree KillEagle presented a class called “Historical Wisdom” on the 10th and 11th of June.

The summertime custodial staff is making its way through the school preparing for the upcoming school year.

He was pleased with the scheduling of students for the next year; the middle school is about 99% done and high school is about 95% done. “It’s been years since we’ve been done with scheduling at this point and time of the summer, so we’re pretty darn happy about it.”

He encouraged those attending to “take a walk down the high school hallways and get an idea of the work that Shayley Simanton has been doing. Last year, she did our teacher workroom, she redecorated, updated it a little bit. This year, back in September we discussed having her do the high school hallway and she had designs done the next day. So, if you have a chance, check it out, it looks pretty cool. One of the things we wanted to do for a while was make it not so…institutional…sterile, plain in the hallways and so she is definitely helping do that in a tasteful way.”

The student council for next year had decided they wanted to create a theme for next year, and they met and voted and the message “Stay Strong and ‘Stang On.” This theme will be incorporated into the school activities this year.

Marquis commended the individual who had created the ads on the school page advertising the various jobs and positions open and Bleth gave credit to Tara Cole for her creativity.

Under new business, the summer contracts were approved: Ryan and Lynnel LaBrie and FFA, and Jake Norby for weight lifting.

The 2024-2025 memberships were presented by Clerk Jane Knudsen.

Under new business, buses and travel was discussed, as was individual contracts for bus routes and transportation.

In the student handbook, the participation fee for activities was increased by $10. The vision and mission statement was discussed.

Discussion was held on changes as a result of transitioning to a four-day school., including school start time, eligibility for valedictorian and top eight student selection.

There was discussion on home-schooled students participating in sports.

There was no action taken on the matter regarding the North Harlem School, the East Malta Colony and the Malta School District.

Board policies were discussed and voted on.

The meeting lasted just over two hours and ten minutes.

The July meeting has been changed to the 11th of July due to training. As of July 1st the audio portion of the board meetings will be required to be online within one day of the meeting. You may check the school site and hear the meeting at that time. If you ever need a copy of the minutes, once they are approved, you may contact the school.